Which constitution introduced Georgia's version of the federal Equal Protection Clause?

The correct answer is the constitution of 1868, as this document explicitly incorporated elements related to civil rights that aligned with the federal Equal Protection Clause established in the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution. This 1868 constitution was adopted during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War, a period characterized by significant changes to civil rights, particularly for formerly enslaved individuals.

The inclusion of the Equal Protection Clause in the 1868 Georgia constitution marked a critical movement towards ensuring that all citizens received equal protection under the law, mirroring the federal standard. This was a pivotal moment in Georgia’s legal and social history, aiming to dismantle the injustices of the past and promote a more equitable society.

In contrast, earlier constitutions, such as those from 1861 and 1865, did not reflect this commitment to equal protection and civil rights, as they were drafted in the context of a pre-Civil War society and primarily governed the affairs of a slave-holding state. The 1877 constitution, while significant in its own right, followed a period of regression regarding civil rights and did not introduce any new provisions regarding equal protection, as the political climate shifted away from Reconstruction reforms. Thus, the 1868 constitution stands out as