PS 102 Civil Rights

Civil Liberties

Limitations of government power designed to protect freedoms.

Civil Rights

Constitutional guarantees that the government will treat people equally. Something to which all people are entitled.

Equal Protection Clause

No State shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal
protection of the laws.

Discrimination

the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different
categories of people or things

Discriminatory effect

When a law results in different treatment for similar individuals.

Discriminatory purpose

When a law was enacted with the intent to unjustly or prejudicially treat certain people differently.

Equal Protection

Involves principles of equality, fairness, and freedom from discrimination.

Rational Basis Test

Standard used by the courts to decide most forms of discrimination.

Intermediate Scrutiny

Standard used by the courts with gender discrimination cases.

Strict Scrutiny

Standard used by the courts in cases based on race, national origin, or religion.

Rational Basis Test

As long as there is a rational reason for treating people differently, the law is acceptable.

Affirmative Action

Government policies designed to benefits groups historically subject to discrimination.

Reconstruction Amendments

13th, 14th, 15th amendments

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the US.

14th Amendment

All persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens.

15th Amendment

Prohibits governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on race.

Plessy V. Fergusson (1896)

The supreme court ruled in favor of separate but equal racial segregation.

Jim Crow Laws

Laws promoting racial segregation and undermining black voting rights.

Disenfranchisement

The revocation or impediment of an individual’s right to vote.

Examples of Disenfranchisement

Literacy tests, understanding tests, poll taxes, white-only primaries

Segregation

Systems of laws or practices that keeps different groups apart.

De Facto Segregation

Results from the private choices of individuals.

De Jure Segregation

Results from government discrimination or laws.

Brown V. Board of Education (1954)

Declared segregation and Plessy V. Ferguson unconstitutional.

24th Amendment

Banned Poll Tax for Federal Elections

Harper V. Board of Elections

Poll tax in any election unconstitutional.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Outlawed government discrimination and unequal application of voting qualifications by race.

Civil Rights Movement

Movements meant to help oppressed groups and ensure equal treatment.

Women’s Suffrage

Movement campaigning for women’s right to vote. Culminated in the 19th Amendment.

Indian Citizenship Act (1924)

Granted citizenship to all Native Americans.

Nationality Act (1940)

Granted citizenship to older Native Americans.

Indian Civil Rights Act (1968)

Extended to reservations many of the civil liberties and rights granted by Amendments.

American Indian Movement (1973)

Occupied Wounded Knee and demanded the feds to honor past treaties.

Women’s Rights Movement

Argued for abortions, birth control, keeping their surname, own property, or obtain credit after marriage.

Immigration Rights Groups

Sought prevention of human trafficking and increased pathways to immigration and citizenship.

Gay Rights Movement

Targeted discriminatory laws criminalizing same-sex acts and relationships. Came to encompass the LGBTQ+ movement.