ap gov unit 3

2nd Amendment

Part of the United States Bill of Rights, it protects the right to keep and bear arms.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures and requires any warrant to be judicially sanctioned and supported by probable cause.

5th Amendment

Protects against self

8th Amendment

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail or fines.

9th Amendment

Asserts that rights not specifically mentioned in the Constitution are retained by the people.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery in the United States.

14th Amendment

Addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law.

15th Amendment

Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

19th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote.

24th Amendment

Prohibits the imposition of poll taxes as a condition for voting.

Affirmative Action

Policies that aim to increase opportunities for underrepresented minorities and address historical discrimination.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, guaranteeing various individual rights.

Bostock v. Clayton

A landmark Supreme Court case (2020) that held that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Brady Bill

Imposed federal background checks on firearm purchasers.

‘Breathing Space’

A term often used in legal contexts to refer to the idea that the First Amendment allows for some breathing space in its protection of free speech.

Civil Liberties

Basic freedoms and rights protected by law from government interference.

Civil Rights

Policies and laws that protect individuals from discrimination based on characteristics such as race, gender, and disability.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

‘Clear and Present Danger’ Test

Legal standard used to determine if speech can be restricted if it presents a clear and present danger to national security.

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Prohibited by the 8th Amendment, refers to punishments considered excessively harsh or inhumane.

D.C. v. Heller

A Supreme Court case (2008) affirming an individual's right to possess firearms for self

Defamatory Speech

False statements that harm the reputation of an individual.

Defense of Marriage Act

Defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman for federal purposes; largely overturned by Obergefell v. Hodges.

‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’

Policy prohibiting openly gay individuals from serving in the military; repealed in 2011.

Dr. Martin Luther King

Leader of the American civil rights movement, known for advocating nonviolent civil disobedience.

Due Process Clause

Ensures fair treatment and protection of individual rights under the law.

Equal Pay Act

Requires equal pay for equal work regardless of gender.

Equal Protection Clause

Part of the 14th Amendment, prohibits states from denying equal protection under the law.

Establishment Clause

Prohibits the government from establishing an official religion.

Exclusionary Rule

Evidence obtained illegally is not admissible in court.

Free Exercise Clause

Part of the First Amendment, protects the right to practice one's religion.

Free Press

Protects the freedom of journalists to publish information without government censorship.

Freedom of Choice

Generally refers to the right to make personal decisions without government interference.

Furman v. Georgia

Supreme Court case (1972) that temporarily invalidated the death penalty in the United States.

Griswold v. Connecticut

Supreme Court case (1965) recognizing a right to privacy in marital relations.

Heart of Atlanta Motel v. US

Supreme Court case (1964) upholding the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its prohibition of racial discrimination in public accommodations.

‘Just Compensation’ Clause

Part of the 5th Amendment, requires the government to provide fair compensation for property taken for public use.

Lawrence v. Texas

Supreme Court case (2003) striking down sodomy laws and affirming the right to engage in private, consensual sexual activity.

Lemon Test

Legal test used to determine the constitutionality of laws regarding religious establishment under the First Amendment.

Letter from Birmingham Jail

An open letter written by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963 defending the strategy of nonviolent resistance.

Libel

False written statements that harm the reputation of an individual.

Majority

Minority Districting

Miranda Rule

Requires law enforcement to inform individuals of their rights (Miranda rights) before custodial interrogations.

Miranda v. Arizona

Supreme Court case (1966) establishing the Miranda Rule.

NAACP

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a civil rights organization.

National Security

Policies and actions taken to protect a nation's borders and citizens from external threats.

Obergefell v. Hodges

Supreme Court case (2015) legalizing same

Obscene Speech

Speech or expression that is offensive or indecent by prevailing community standards.

Prior Restraint

Censorship imposed before a speech or publication.

Probable Cause

Standard of proof required for searches and seizures, indicating a reasonable belief that a crime has been or will be committed.

Procedural Due Process

Ensures fair procedures and methods in legal proceedings.

Rasul v. Bush

Supreme Court case (2004) granting habeas corpus rights to Guantanamo Bay detainees.

Right to Counsel

The right to have legal representation during legal proceedings.

Search Warrant

A legal document authorizing a search of a person's property.

Selective Incorporation

The process by which the Bill of Rights is applied to the states through the 14th Amendment.

Self Incrimination

The act of implicating oneself in a crime, protected against by the 5th Amendment.

Separate but Equal Doctrine

Legal doctrine allowing for racial segregation as long as facilities were deemed equal.

Slander

Spoken false statements that harm the reputation of an individual.

Substantive Due Process

Ensures that laws are fair and not arbitrary.

Symbolic Speech

Nonverbal expression conveying a political message, protected by the First Amendment.

Telecommunication Metadata

Information about communications, such as the time and duration of phone calls, but not the content.

Title IX

Federal law prohibiting sex

Time, Place, and Manner Regulations

Restrictions on the manner in which speech or expression can occur, as long as they are content

TLO v New Jersey

Supreme Court case (1985) addressing the rights of students in public schools.

Unreasonable Search and Seizure

Conducting searches or seizures without proper justification, prohibited by the 4th Amendment.

USA Freedom Act

Legislation that modified and limited the bulk data collection of the USA Patriot Act.

USA Patriot Act

Legislation enacted after the 9/11 attacks to enhance national security by expanding surveillance powers.

Voting Rights Act

Legislation aimed at overcoming legal barriers to voting, particularly for African Americans.

Wall of Separation

Conceptual separation between church and state to prevent government interference in religious matters.

White Flight

Phenomenon where white residents move away from urban areas to suburban areas, often in response to an influx of minority residents.