AP U.S. Government & Politics - Unit 8: Civil Rights

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to civil rights in the United States, focusing on historical amendments, landmark court cases, and significant legislation understood within the context of social movements.

Equal Protection Clause

Part of the 14th Amendment that requires states to treat individuals equally under the law, significant for civil rights.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Landmark Supreme Court case that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Civil Rights Movement

Social movement during the 1960s aimed at ending racial discrimination and securing equal rights for African Americans.

Affirmative Action

Policies designed to increase the representation of historically marginalized groups in education and employment.

19th Amendment

Amendment granting women the right to vote in the United States.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

Proposed amendment aiming to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex.

Nonviolent Civil Disobedience

A method used by activists, notably by Martin Luther King Jr., to peacefully protest unjust laws.

Poll Taxes

Fees required to vote that were used to disenfranchise poor and minority voters; abolished by the 24th Amendment.

Separate-but-Equal Doctrine

Legal doctrine that justified racial segregation, deemed unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education.

Title IX

Federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Landmark legislation aimed at eliminating various forms of voting discrimination against African Americans.

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

Open letter written by Martin Luther King Jr. arguing for nonviolent resistance to racism.

Social Movements

Collective efforts by groups of people to advocate for social change, examples include Civil Rights Movement and Women's Movement.

Family and Medical Leave Act (1993)

Law allowing eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for family and medical reasons.

The Architect (Podcast)

Podcast discussing influential figures and events in the Civil Rights Movement.

Sex Appeal (Podcast)

Podcast exploring the intersection of sexuality and civil rights.

Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl (Podcast)

Legal case concerning the rights of adoptive parents versus biological parents under federal law.