What is the main guarantee of the 14th Amendment?

The main guarantee of the 14th Amendment is indeed equal protection and due process for all U.S. citizens. This amendment, ratified in 1868, was a significant part of the Reconstruction Amendments aiming to ensure that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are granted citizenship and are entitled to the same protections under the law.

The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment specifically prohibits states from denying any person within their jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws, fundamentally shaping civil rights in America by addressing issues of discrimination and inequality.

The Due Process Clause similarly protects individuals from being deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, securing individuals' rights against arbitrary actions of the government. This dual assurance of equal protection and due process is foundational to many key decisions in U.S. legal history regarding civil rights and liberties.

Other options relate to specific rights or limitations that are important but do not capture the core essence of the 14th Amendment as effectively as the guarantee of equal protection and due process. For instance, protection against self-incrimination relates more directly to the Fifth Amendment, while rights related to freedom of speech are covered under the First Amendment. Limitations on state powers are addressed through various clauses