AP Gov Unit 3: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)

Established the right to privacy in marital relations, striking down a law prohibiting contraceptive use.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Recognized a woman's constitutional right to an abortion under the right to privacy.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022)

Overturned Roe v. Wade, stating the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion.

Schenck v. United States (1919)

Introduced the 'clear and present danger' test, allowing limitations on free speech during wartime.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Affirmed students' rights to free speech in schools, allowing symbolic protest.

New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)

Reinforced freedom of the press, limiting prior restraint even in national security cases.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Ruled that school-sponsored prayer in public schools violates the Establishment Clause.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Held that compulsory school attendance laws violated the Free Exercise Clause for Amish families.

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Applied the Second Amendment right to bear arms to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Guaranteed the right to legal counsel for criminal defendants in state courts.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning 'separate but equal.'

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public places and employment.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Eliminated barriers like literacy tests that restricted African Americans from voting.

24th Amendment

Abolished the poll tax in federal elections, removing a financial barrier to voting.

De Facto Segregation

Segregation resulting from social, economic, or other factors, not by law.

De Jure Segregation

Segregation enforced by law.

Procedural Due Process

Ensures fair procedures when the government acts to deprive an individual of life, liberty, or property.

Substantive Due Process

Protects certain fundamental rights from government interference, even if procedural protections are present.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental rights and liberties.

Selective Incorporation

The process by which the Supreme Court has applied portions of the Bill of Rights to the states via the Fourteenth Amendment.

Equal Protection Clause

Part of the Fourteenth Amendment, mandating that no state shall deny any person equal protection under the law.

Establishment Clause

Prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or favoring one religion over another.

Free Exercise Clause

Protects individuals' rights to practice their religion freely, without government interference.

Exclusionary Rule

Prevents evidence obtained through violations of the Fourth Amendment from being used in court.

Miranda Rights

Require that individuals be informed of their rights upon arrest, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.

Double Jeopardy

Constitutional protection against being tried twice for the same offense.

Habeas Corpus

The right to challenge unlawful detention or imprisonment.

Affirmative Action

Policies that support members of disadvantaged groups that have previously suffered discrimination.

Title IX

Federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or education program receiving federal funding.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

A proposed amendment aiming to guarantee equal legal rights regardless of sex; it has not been ratified.

Civil Disobedience

The active, professed refusal to obey certain laws as a form of peaceful political protest.