The 1st amendment granted basic freedoms to citizens, however the 14th amendment defined those liberties while including those who were excluded previously. The 14th amendment granted citizenship to all individuals
born in the United States with equal benefit of the law. Another important aspect of the amendment was the limit of state government. Similar to limits on the federal government, the restriction on the state ensures that liberties are expected to abide equal protection among all citizens. Stated by "The Fourteenth Amendment” About.com.Education.. “No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.” The placement of the limits on the states admits equality to those who were discriminated by the states.
Therefore, the 14th amendment is an crucial building block in American Democracy because, it set equality by protecting individual’s liberties and rights by restricting states powers. Since its ratification, the 14th amendment has ensured hope into Africans American, because it defined and granted their rights and liberties. Also, the amendment has been used through various court cases because it restriction against state government and due process, therefore has made an important impact in the United States.