Which amendment prohibits states from denying equal protection of the law?

The Fourteenth Amendment is crucial in American constitutional law as it specifically addresses the issue of equal protection under the law. Ratified in 1868, this amendment includes the Equal Protection Clause, which states that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. This was a significant addition following the Civil War, aimed at protecting the rights of newly freed slaves and ensuring that all individuals, regardless of race or background, would be granted the same legal protections.

The importance of this amendment lies in its role in various landmark Supreme Court cases that have helped to shape civil rights in the United States, making it a cornerstone in addressing issues of discrimination and inequality across different state policies and practices. This foundational aspect of the Fourteenth Amendment is what makes it the answer to the question regarding the prohibition of states from denying equal protection of the law. Other amendments listed do not specifically address equal protection, focusing instead on different rights and powers.