Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (Unit 7)

Seligman AP Gov

9th Amendment

Part of the Bill of Rights; states that the listing of specific rights in the Constitution does not mean that people don’t have other rights too.

10th Amendment

Part of the Bill of Rights; reserves powers not given to the federal government or prohibited to the states to the states or the people.

Affirmative Action

Government policies designed to provide special opportunities in education and employment to historically disadvantaged groups.

Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)

Federal law prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, public services, transportation, and accommodations.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, protecting individual freedoms from government interference.

Black Codes

Laws passed in Southern states after the Civil War to limit African Americans' freedom and rights.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Supreme Court case ruling racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Civil Liberties

Constitutionally protected freedoms that the government cannot infringe upon without due process.

Civil Rights

Protections from discrimination based on race, gender, or other factors; require government action to ensure equality.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislation banning segregation in public places and outlawing employment discrimination.

Clear and Present Danger Test

Legal standard allowing the government to limit speech if it poses a clear threat to public safety.

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Excessively harsh or degrading punishment prohibited by the 8th Amendment.

De Facto Segregation

Segregation occurring through social patterns rather than by law.

De Jure Segregation

Segregation imposed by law.

Direct Incitement Test

Limits speech only if it is likely to incite imminent lawless action.

Double Jeopardy

5th Amendment protection preventing someone from being tried twice for the same crime.

Due Process Clause

Clause guaranteeing fair procedures when the government takes away life, liberty, or property.

Enemy Combatant

Person engaged in armed conflict against the U.S. without the same constitutional rights as regular prisoners.

Equal Pay Act of 1963

Federal law requiring equal pay for men and women performing substantially equal work.

Equal Protection Clause

Part of the 14th Amendment requiring states to apply the law equally.

Equal Rights Amendment

Proposed amendment to guarantee equal legal rights regardless of sex.

Establishment Clause

Clause prohibiting the government from establishing an official religion.

Ex Post Facto Laws

Laws that retroactively criminalize an action or increase punishment, prohibited by the Constitution.

Exclusionary Rule

Legal principle preventing the use of evidence obtained through illegal searches.

Extradition Clause

Clause requiring states to return individuals charged with crimes to the state of the crime.

Extraordinary Rendition

Secret transfer of terror suspects to other countries for interrogation.

Fighting Words

Speech intended to incite violence, not protected under the 1st Amendment.

Free Exercise Clause

Clause protecting individuals' right to practice their religion freely.

Grandfather Clause

Law allowing people to vote only if their ancestors had voted before the Civil War.

Habeas Corpus

Legal right requiring authorities to explain why a person is detained.

Hate Speech

Speech attacking individuals based on identity factors; often protected unless it incites violence.

Incorporation

Process of applying the Bill of Rights to state governments.

Indictment

Formal charge issued by a grand jury for a criminal trial.

Jim Crow Laws

Laws enforcing racial segregation in the South from the late 19th century until the 1960s.

Lemon Test

Test used to determine if a law violates the Establishment Clause.

Libel

False written statement damaging a person’s reputation.

Miranda Rights

Rights of a suspect upon arrest, established in Miranda v. Arizona.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Supreme Court case establishing suspects must be informed of their rights.

New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964)

Case establishing the "actual malice" standard for press reporting on public officials.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Supreme Court case upholding

separate but equal

segregation doctrine; overturned by Brown v. Board of Education.

Prior Restraint

Government action preventing publication or speech.

Rendition

Transfer of a person from one jurisdiction to another.

Right to Privacy

Implied right protecting personal autonomy in various personal decisions.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Supreme Court case establishing a constitutional right to abortion.

Selective Incorporation

Process of applying parts of the Bill of Rights to the states.

Separate but Equal

Doctrine allowing racial segregation if facilities are deemed equal.

Separation of Church and State

Principle that government and religious institutions must remain separate.

Slander

False spoken statements damaging a person’s reputation.

Strict Scrutiny

Highest level of judicial review for laws involving race or fundamental rights.

Substantive Due Process

Judicial interpretation protecting certain fundamental rights from government interference.

Suspect Classification

Category that triggers strict scrutiny when discrimination is alleged.

Symbolic Speech

Nonverbal expression protected under the 1st Amendment.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Court order demanding a prisoner be brought before a judge.