Gov. U3 vocab.

civil liberties

constitutionally established guarantees that protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals from unreasonable interference by the government

civil rights

protections for individuals from discrimination based on race, national origin, religion, sex, and other characteristics, ensuring equal treatment under the law

free exercise clause

First Amendment protection of the rights of individuals to express and exercise their religious beliefs

selective incorporation

the process through which the Supreme Court applies fundamental rights in the Bill of Rights to the states on a case-by-case basis; the case-by-case process through which the Supreme COurt has affirmed that almost all of the protections in the Bill of Rights also apply to state governments

due process clause

clause in the 14th Amendment that restricts state governments from denying persons from their life, liberty, or property without legal safeguards

equal protection clause

clause of the 14th Amendment that requires the states to treat all persons alike with regard to application of the laws; clause that has been used to protect the civil rights of Americans from discrimination based on race, national origin, religion, sex, gender and other characteristics

establishment clause

First Amendment protection against the government requiring citizens to join or support a religion