Unit 3: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

bill of rights

first ten amendments in the constitution, provides civil liberties

civil liberties

protecting people from the government, individual rights

civil rights

protects individuals from discrimination, minority group rights

establishment clause

government can’t establish one religion

free exercise clause

people can freely exercise their religion

symbolic speech

nonverbal action that communicates an idea or belief

clear and present danger

speech can be limited by government if it presents a “clear and prsent danger”

prior restraint

surpreme court can surpress materials that would be published/broadcasted, especially if it threatens national security

selective incorporation

extending the bill of rights to the states to protect civil liberties

due process

state governments cant attack peoples right to life liberty or property

miranda rule

the accused must be informed of their 6th amendment rights

exclusionary rule

illegally seized evidence by law enforcement that violates the 4th amendment can’t be used in prosecution

title xi

no sex discrimination in educational activities, especially sports

affirmative action

government uses this to promote and improve opportunities for underrepresented minority groups mainly in workplace and education

de jure v de facto segregation

de jure: by law
de facto: by fact (ie housing patterns)

benchmark polls

conducted by campaigns to have a baseline to compare to later polls to see if a canidates chance of winning are increasing or decreasing

tracking polls

surveying the same issue over a time period to see changes in opinion

exit polls

used by media outlets to determine voter election results before the ballots are officially casted