The problem caused by these cases was a weakening of the Fourteenth Amendment's protection of individual rights. The Court's decision narrowed the scope of the privileges and immunities clause, ruling that it only applied to rights specifically listed in the Constitution. This meant that the amendment could not be used to protect individuals from state laws that infringed upon their rights, even if those rights were considered fundamental.
Here are some of the key problems caused by the Slaughterhouse Cases:
* Reduced protection of individual rights: The Court's decision made it more difficult for individuals to challenge state laws that violated their rights.
* Expansion of state power: The ruling gave states more power to regulate businesses and individuals within their borders, even if it infringed upon their rights.
* Weakened the Fourteenth Amendment: The decision significantly weakened the Fourteenth Amendment's ability to protect individual rights from state action.
The Slaughterhouse Cases had a profound impact on the development of American law and continue to be cited in cases dealing with federalism and individual rights. The Court's decision narrowed the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment, making it more difficult to protect individuals from state infringement on their rights.