From time to time, the Supreme Court has extended civil rights protections to groups that historically have been

denied rights guaranteed to other Americans. Sometimes the Supreme Court has done this by interpreting and

applying principles found in existing Constitutional amendments.

Which legal principle did the Supreme Court use to extend the Bill of Rights guarantees to state laws and to

broaden civil rights protections for minorities?

A the "two-thirds clause" of the 12th Amendment

B

the "punishment clause" of the 13th Amendment

C

the "due process clause" of the 14th Amendment

D

the "apportionment clause" of the 16th Amendment