Civil Rights and Political Systems

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to Civil Rights, political systems, and electoral processes.

Civil Rights

Protections against discrimination by the government.

Coverture

Doctrine where married women had no legal identity separate from husbands.

Nineteenth Amendment

Granted women the right to vote in 1920.

ERA

Proposed amendment guaranteeing gender equality; not ratified.

Title IX

Prohibits gender discrimination in education programs.

Gender Wage Gap

Difference in earnings between men and women.

Glass Ceiling

Invisible barrier preventing advancement to top positions.

Equal Pay Act (1963)

Requires equal pay for equal work.

Civil Rights Act (1964)

Bans discrimination; Title VII covers employment.

Comparable Worth

Jobs of equal value should receive equal pay.

Affirmative Action

Policies to address past discrimination.

Indian Removal Act (1830)

Forced relocation of Native Americans.

Trail of Tears

Deadly relocation of Native Americans.

Dawes Act

Divided tribal lands to encourage assimilation.

Indian Citizenship Act (1924)

Granted citizenship to Native Americans.

Indian Reorganization Act (1934)

Restored tribal governance.

Nationality Act (1940)

Clarified U.S. citizenship laws.

ICWA

Protects Native American children and families.

American Indian Movement

Activist group for Native rights.

LULAC

Advocates for Latino civil rights.

United Farm Workers

Labor union for farm workers.

Bilingual Education Act

Supports non-English speakers in schools.

Executive Order 9066

Authorized Japanese internment during WWII.

Mattachine Society

Early LGBTQ+ rights group.

Stonewall Riots

Sparked modern LGBTQ+ movement.

Obergefell v. Hodges

Legalized same-sex marriage.

Bostock v. Clayton County

Protects LGBTQ+ workers from discrimination.

ADA

Protects individuals with disabilities.

Public Opinion

Views held by the public on political issues.

Political Socialization

Process of forming political beliefs.

Political Ideology

Set of beliefs about politics and government.

Liberalism

Supports government action for equality.

Conservatism

Supports limited government.

Communism

No private property; state controls economy.

Socialism

Government controls major industries.

Authoritarianism

Strong central power, limited freedoms.

Fascism

Extreme nationalism and authoritarian rule.

Straw Poll

Unscientific poll.

Random Sample

Equal chance of selection.

Representative Sample

Reflects population.

Margin of Error

Possible error range in poll results.

Exit Poll

Survey after voting.

Push Poll

Poll meant to influence opinion.

Voting Rights Act (1965)

Outlaws racial discrimination in voting.

Residency Requirements

Must live in area to vote.

Voter ID Laws

Require ID to vote.

Early Voting

Vote before election day.

Voter Apathy

Lack of interest in voting.

Voter Fatigue

Too many elections reduce turnout.

Incumbency Advantage

Current officeholders have advantages.

War Chest

Campaign funds.

FECA

Regulates campaign finance.

BCRA

Limits soft money in campaigns.

PACs

Groups that donate to campaigns.

Super PACs

Independent groups with unlimited spending.

Primary Election

Select party nominees.

Caucus

Local party meeting.

General Election

Final election.

Electoral College

System to elect president.

Gerrymandering

Redrawing districts for advantage.

Referendum

Vote on law.

Initiative

Citizens propose law.

Recall

Remove elected official.

Political Party

Group that seeks to win elections.

Party Realignment

Major shift in political support.

Polarization

Growing divide between parties.

Plurality Voting

Most votes wins.

Proportional Representation

Seats based on vote percentage.

Interest Groups

Groups that influence policy.

Lobbyist

Person who influences lawmakers.

Public Interest Group

Advocates for public good.

Free Rider Problem

People benefit without contributing.

Disturbance Theory

Groups form due to social/economic change.