GOV Civil Liberties

Civil Liberties

Freedoms that protect you from the government, like freedom of speech and actions.

Example: You can say what you think about the government without being punished.

Bill Of Rights

First 10 changes to the Constitution listing Americans’ rights.
Example: The right to free speech is in the Bill of Rights.

First Amendment

Lets you practice religion, speak freely, gather, and ask the government for changes.
Example: You can go to any church you want or protest a law peacefully.

14th Amendment

Anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen and must be treated fairly under the law.
Example: A person born in Michigan is automatically a U.S. citizen.

Due Process Clause

Government can’t take away your life, freedom, or property without following the law.
Example: You can’t be sent to jail without a trial.

Incorporation Doctrine

Most rights in the Bill of Rights also apply to state governments, not just the federal government.

Example: States must allow freedom of speech, not just the federal government.

Establishment Clause

Government can’t make an official religion or favor one religion.
Example: Public schools cannot require students to pray in class.

Free Exercise Clause

You can practice any religion without government interference.
Example: You can wear a hijab or yarmulke at school.

Prior Restraint

Government stopping someone from speaking or publishing before they do it.
Example: The government trying to stop a newspaper from printing a story.

Libel

Writing or publishing false statements about someone that can harm their reputation.
Example: Publishing online that a teacher cheats, when it’s not true.

Symbolic Speech

Using actions to express ideas instead of words.
Example: Burning a flag to protest a law.

Commercial Speech

Ads or promotions protected by the First Amendment.
Example: A company advertising a new phone online.

Probable Clause

Police must have good reason (not just a guess) to think a crime happened.
Example: Seeing someone break into a car gives police probable cause to investigate.

Unreasonable Search and Seizure

Government searches or takes property illegally.
Example: Police entering your bedroom without a warrant or reason.

Seizures

Government taking your property or freedom illegally.
Example: Police taking your phone without permission.

Search Warrant

Legal paper allowing police to search a place for evidence.
Example: A judge signs a warrant to search a house for stolen goods.

Exclusionary Rule

Evidence taken illegally can’t be used in court.
Example: If police find drugs without a warrant, the case might be thrown out.

Fifth Amendment

Protects you from being forced to testify against yourself and ensures fair procedures.
Example: You can say “I plead the Fifth” if asked a question in court.

Self-incrimination

Giving info that could get you in trouble with the law.
Example: Admitting you stole something in front of police.

6th Amendment

Gives people accused of crimes rights like a fair and speedy trial.
Example: You have the right to a lawyer if you’re arrested.

Plea Bargaining

Admitting to a smaller crime to get a lighter punishment.
Example: Saying guilty to petty theft to avoid jail for a bigger charge.

8th Amendment

Stops unfairly high fines, bail, or cruel punishments.
Example: You can’t be fined $1 million for jaywalking.

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Punishments must fit the crime and be humane.
Example: Giving someone life in prison for stealing candy would be cruel.

Right to Privacy

Your personal life is protected from unwanted government interference.
Example: The government can’t read your diary or emails without reason.

Equal Protection of the Laws

Everyone must be treated the same by the law.
Example: Schools cannot give different rules for students based on race.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Makes discrimination illegal based on race, color, religion, sex, or country of origin.
Example: A company cannot refuse to hire someone because of their race.

Suffrage

The right to vote.

15th Amendment

No one can be denied the right to vote because of race or previous slavery.
Example: Black men could vote after the Civil War.

Poll Taxes

A fee you had to pay to vote.
Example: People were forced to pay money to vote, which stopped poor people from voting.

White Primary

Elections that only allowed white people to vote, keeping Black people out.
Example: In some Southern states, only white citizens could vote in primaries.

24th Amendment

Ends poll taxes in federal elections.
Example: You no longer have to pay to vote for president.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Law that banned racial discrimination in voting.
Example: States couldn’t make unfair rules to stop Black people from voting.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

Tried to guarantee equal rights for men and women under the law.
Example: Men and women would have the same legal protections at work.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990

Protects people with disabilities from discrimination.
Example: Buildings must have ramps so people in wheelchairs can enter.

Affirmative Action

Policies to help groups that were treated unfairly in the past.
Example: Colleges may give extra consideration to students from underrepresented communities.

Jim Crow Laws

Laws that made racial segregation legal.
Example: Black and white people had to use separate schools and restaurants.

Black Codes

Laws that limited the freedom of Black people after slavery and forced them to work cheaply.
Example: Black people were often only allowed to work certain jobs or had to sign unfair labor contracts.

Grandfather Clause

If your grandfather could vote, you could vote; this excluded Black people whose grandfathers were enslaved.
Example: White citizens could vote without taking a literacy test, but Black citizens couldn’t.

Franchise

Right to vote

Pre clearance

Some states with a history of unfair voting rules had to get federal approval before changing voting laws.
Example: A state couldn’t change voting rules without approval from the U.S. government.

Shelby v. Holder (2013)

Court case that said part of the Voting Rights Act (Section 4) was unconstitutional.
Example: Some states no longer needed federal approval to change voting rules, even if they had a history of discrimination.

Title IX (Higher Education Act)

Schools cannot discriminate based on sex.
Example: A college must offer sports teams for both boys and girls.

Reverse Discrimination

Favoring groups that were previously discriminated against in a way that may hurt majority groups.
Example: A company hiring more women to balance past unfairness, which some men might see as unfair.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Allows employees to take unpaid leave for family or medical reasons while keeping their job.
Example: You can take 12 weeks off to care for a new baby without losing your job.

26th Amendment

Lowers voting age to 18

Marbury V. Madison (1803)

Created judicial review — the Supreme Court can say a law is unconstitutional.

McCulloh v. Maryland (1819)

Confirmed federal power over states and upheld implied powers (like creating a national bank).

Schneck v. United States (1919)

Created the “clear and present danger” test — speech can be limited if it poses a serious danger.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Declared school segregation unconstitutional — separate schools are unequal.

Baker V. Carr (1962)

Ruled that federal courts can review redistricting cases — opened door to “one person, one vote.” JURISDICTION

Engel V. Vitale (1962)

Banned official school prayer — government-led prayer in public schools is unconstitutional.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Guaranteed the right to a lawyer for criminal defendants who can’t afford one.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Protected student symbolic speech — students don’t lose all First Amendment rights at school.

New York Times co v. United States (1971)

Limited prior restraint — the government can’t stop publication of information (like the “Pentagon Papers”) without a strong reason.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Protected religious freedom — Amish parents can choose to end formal schooling early for religious reasons.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Ruled racial gerrymandering unconstitutional — districts can’t be drawn only based on race.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Limited Congress’s commerce clause power — ruled that gun possession in school zones isn’t related enough to interstate commerce.

Mcdonald v. Chicago (2010)

Incorporated the Second Amendment — the right to bear arms applies to states.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

Allowed unlimited independent political spending by corporations and unions as protected speech.

Political Spending = free speech

3rd Amendment

No forced quartering of soldiers in homes.
Example: Soldiers can’t live in your house without permission.

4th Amendment

Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Example: Police need a warrant to search your room.

7th Amendment

Right to a jury trial in civil cases.
Example: Disagreements over money can go to a jury.

8th Amendment

No excessive bail, fines, or cruel/unusual punishment.
Example: You can’t get life in prison for stealing candy.

9th Amendment

People have rights beyond those listed in the Constitution.
Example: Your privacy is protected even if it’s not in the Constitution.

10th Amendment

Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or people.
Example: Education is mainly controlled by states.

11th Amendment

States can’t be sued by citizens of another state or country.
Example: You can’t sue Texas in federal court if you live in California.

12th Amendment

Changed how the president and vice president are elected.
Example: President and VP run together on the same ticket.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery (except as punishment for a crime).
Example: Slavery is illegal in the U.S.

16th Amendment 1913

Congress can collect income tax.
Example: Taxes are taken from your paycheck.

17th Amendment 1913

Direct election of U.S. Senators by the people.
Example: People vote for Senators instead of state legislatures.

18th Amendment (1919)

Prohibited alcohol (later repealed by the 21st).
Example: Making, selling, or transporting alcohol was illegal.

20th Amendment (1933)

Changed the start dates for presidential and congressional terms.
Example: President now takes office on January 20 instead of March 4

23rd Amendment

D.C. residents can vote for president.
Example: People in Washington D.C. get electoral votes.

25th amendment

Clarifies presidential succession and disability.
Example: If the president dies, the VP becomes president.

27th Amendment

Congress cannot give itself an immediate pay raise.
Example: Senators’ salary increases don’t take effect until after the next election.