Civil Rights and Liberties - First Amendment and Selective Incorporation

Study flashcards covering key civil rights and liberties concepts, including the First Amendment, selective incorporation, and landmark Supreme Court cases.

Civil Liberties

Protections that limit what the government can do to you.

Civil Rights

Protections that require the government to treat people fairly and equally.

First Amendment

Guarantees freedoms such as speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Due Process

Constitutional principle requiring fair procedures and rules when the government deprives someone of life, liberty, or property.

Substantive Due Process

Examines whether the government has a good reason to take away rights.

Procedural Due Process

Ensures the government follows correct procedures when affecting your rights.

Selective Incorporation

Process by which the Supreme Court applies the Bill of Rights to state governments through the 14th Amendment.

14th Amendment - Due Process Clause

No state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

14th Amendment - Equal Protection Clause

Prohibits states from denying any person equal protection of the laws.

McDonald v. Chicago

Supreme Court case that applied the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms to the states using selective incorporation.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Supreme Court case that applied the 6th Amendment right to an attorney to the states.

Miranda v. Arizona

Supreme Court case that considered 5th Amendment rights; established Miranda rights.

Mapp v. Ohio

Supreme Court case that applied the 4th Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and created the Exclusionary Rule.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery in the United States.

14th Amendment

Granted due process and equal protection under the law.

15th Amendment

Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race.

Jim Crow Laws

State laws that enforced racial segregation in the South.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Supreme Court case that upheld 'Separate but Equal' doctrine.

Brown v. Board of Education

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

Civil Rights Act of 1964

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

De Facto Segregation

Segregation that occurs without laws, often due to housing patterns and socio-economic factors.

2nd Amendment

Protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms.

3rd Amendment

Prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes without the owner's consent.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

5th Amendment

Guarantees the right to due process, protects against self-incrimination and double jeopardy.

6th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a speedy trial, an impartial jury, and the right to an attorney.

7th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil cases.

8th Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail and fines, as well as cruel and unusual punishment.

9th Amendment

Affirms that the enumeration of certain rights in the Constitution does not deny or disparage other rights retained by the people.

10th Amendment

States that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people.

Freedom of Speech

The right to express any opinions without censorship or restraint.

Freedom of Religion

The right to practice any religion or no religion without interference from the government.

Freedom of Press

The right of journalists and media to publish news and opinions without government interference.

Freedom of Assembly

The right to hold public meetings and form associations without interference.

Freedom of Petition

The right to make a complaint to or seek assistance from one's government without fear of punishment or reprisals.