AP Government and Politics Unit 4 Study Guide

What are Civil Liberties?

Individual freedoms and legal protections guaranteed primarily by the Bill of Rights that protect individuals from government overreach.

What are examples of Civil Liberties?

Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, right to a fair trial, right to privacy, protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

What are Civil Rights?

Protections from discrimination that ensure equal treatment under the law.

What is a key distinction between Civil Liberties and Civil Rights?

Civil Liberties are about freedoms the government cannot take away, while Civil Rights are about fair treatment and equality under laws.

Which amendments primarily provide Rights of the Accused?

The 5th, 6th, and 14th Amendments.

What is the Exclusionary Rule?

Legal principle stating that evidence gathered in violation of the 4th Amendment cannot be used at trial.

What does the Establishment Clause prohibit?

The government from creating an official or established church or religion and from favoring one religion over another.

What does the Free Exercise Clause protect?

An individual's right to practice (or not practice) a religion of choice.

What is the main purpose of the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause?

To ensure that no state can deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

What is the significance of the case Engel v. Vitale (1962)?

It ruled that it is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and require its recitation in public schools.

What was decided in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)?

Forcing Amish children to attend school beyond the 8th grade violated their Free Exercise of religion.

What does the term 'Prior Restraint' refer to?

When the government attempts to stop or censor information before it is published or broadcast.

What does the 4th Amendment protect against?

Unreasonable searches and seizures.

What is meant by 'De Jure Segregation'?

Segregation that is enforced by law.

What was the outcome of Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?

It ruled that 'separate but equal' in public education is inherently unequal, violating the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.

What is the Incorporation Doctrine?

How the Supreme Court applies the Bill of Rights to the states through the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause.

What does Title IX prohibit?

Discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity.

What are the '5 Freedoms' protected by the 1st Amendment?

Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom to petition the government.

What did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 achieve?

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

What was the primary focus of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

To outlaw discriminatory voting practices and allow federal oversight of voter registration in states with a history of discrimination.

What is the definition of Libel?

A written defamatory statement.

What is the definition of Slander?

A spoken defamatory statement.

What were the tactics used to disenfranchise African American voters?

White Primary, Literacy Test, Poll Tax, and Grandfather Clause.

What does the Right to Privacy involve?

It is inferred from various amendments and involves issues like reproductive rights and technology-based privacy.

What key concept is established by the case Roe v. Wade (1973)?

A woman's right to choose an abortion under the right to privacy.