Civil Rights and Federalism

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to Civil Rights and Federalism from lecture notes.

Civil Rights Movement

A struggle for social justice and equal rights, primarily focused on ending racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans.

Brown v. Board of Education

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1954 that ruled segregation in public schools unconstitutional, declaring that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislation that banned discrimination in public accommodations and employment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Legislation that outlawed discriminatory voting practices and aimed to ensure African American suffrage.

Interstate Commerce

Economic trade that occurs across state lines, which can be regulated by the national government.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, such as states.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly granted to the national government by the Constitution.

Reserved Powers

Powers that are not specifically delegated to the national government or prohibited to the states; they are reserved for the states.

Concurrent Powers

Powers that both the national and state governments can exercise, such as taxation.

Implied Powers Doctrine

The principle that the national government has powers beyond those explicitly stated in the Constitution, derived from those enumerated powers.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in the Constitution stating that national law takes precedence over state law when there is a conflict.

Affirmative Action

Policies designed to give special attention or compensatory treatment to previously disadvantaged groups to promote equality.

Demographics Changes

Shifts in population dynamics that can influence political power and representation.

Jim Crow Laws

State and local laws enforcing racial segregation in the Southern United States.

Civil Disobedience

Nonviolent resistance to laws or policies that are deemed unjust or discriminatory.

NAACP

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, an organization that played a pivotal role in advocating for civil rights.

Social Rights

Rights relating to social equality and justice, often including access to education, healthcare, and housing.

Political Rights

Rights that allow individuals to participate in the political process, such as voting and running for office.

Economic Rights

Rights that guarantee equal opportunity in economic participation and benefit.

Pre-Clearance

A provision in the Voting Rights Act that required certain jurisdictions with a history of discrimination to obtain federal approval before changing voting laws.

Shelby County v. Holder

A Supreme Court case in 2013 that struck down the pre-clearance requirement as unconstitutional.