What protections were included in the Fourteenth Amendment?

The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, includes several key protections, primarily ensuring citizenship and equal protection under the law. It granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former enslaved people. Additionally, it prohibits states from denying any person "the equal protection of the laws," thereby aiming to safeguard individual rights and promote equality. The amendment also includes provisions related to due process, ensuring that states cannot deprive individuals of life, liberty, or property without appropriate legal procedures.