The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees equal protection of the law to all individuals in the United States. This means that no state shall deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. This amendment was ratified in 1868 to ensure that all citizens are treated fairly and equally under the law.
For example, this amendment has been used to strike down discriminatory laws and practices that violate the principle of equal protection, such as segregation based on race. It has played a crucial role in advancing civil rights and promoting equality for all individuals regardless of their background or characteristics.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is:
C. equal protection of the law
