What is the primary function of the 14th Amendment?

The primary function of the 14th Amendment is to ensure due process, which is vital in protecting individuals' legal rights against infringement by the states. Ratified in 1868, the 14th Amendment includes several key clauses focused on equality and the legal process, particularly the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause.

The Due Process Clause prevents states from denying any person life, liberty, or property without due process of law. This provision extends the protection of rights, originally guaranteed by the Constitution at the federal level, to individuals at the state level. It secures a framework within which individuals can challenge state actions that may violate their fundamental rights.

Further, while civil rights are indeed a significant aspect of the 14th Amendment, they are encompassed within the broader framework of due process, which is foundational to the amendment's purpose. Establishing a federal income tax and protecting the rights of states fall outside the central focus of the 14th Amendment. The former is addressed in the 16th Amendment, and the latter is more related to the relationship between federal and state powers, which is not the primary aim of the 14th Amendment.