Unit 3 AP US Government Review

Bill of Rights

• Includes the first 10 amendments of the Constitution

• Was to appease the anti-federalists.

• Protects the Civil Liberties against the intrusion of the FEDERAL government.

First Amendment

Protects freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Establishment Clause

prohibits the government from establishing an official religion.

Free Exercise Clause

protects individuals' rights to practice actions of their religion without government interference.

Selective Incorporation

Process by which the protections outlined in the Bill of Rights are applied to state governments

Selectively Incorporated Amendments

1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th Amendments

14th Amendment

Ensure that state governments upheld the liberties protected by the Bill of Rights in addition to the federal government

Tinker v. Des Moines

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the right of students to exercise free speech in public schools, ruling that student expression could only be limited if it disrupted educational activities.

Schenck v. The United States

A Supreme Court case that upheld the conviction of Charles Schenck for distributing leaflets against the draft during World War I, establishing the "clear and present danger" test for restrictions on free speech.

Freedom of Speech Boundaries

The government cannot restrict the content of speech, but only the time, place, and manner in which it was spoken.

Freedom of the Press

The right of individuals to publish and disseminate information without government interference, ensuring a free exchange of ideas in society.

New York Times v. The United States

A landmark Supreme Court case that reinforced the principle of freedom of the press by ruling that the government could not prevent the publication of the Pentagon Papers, emphasizing prior restraint.

Second Amendment

The constitutional right that protects the individual's right to keep and bear arms, allowing for personal defense and the maintenance of a militia.

McDonald v. Chicago

A Supreme Court case that incorporated the Second Amendment to the states, ruling that the right to bear arms for self-defense is protected under the Fourteenth Amendment.

Eighth Amendment

The constitutional amendment that prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments, ensuring humane treatment of individuals within the justice system.

Fourth Amendment

The constitutional amendment that protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring a warrant supported by probable cause for law enforcement to conduct searches.

Exclusionary Rule

Evidence obtained in violation of the fourth amendment cannot be used in court

Fifth and Sixth Amendments

The constitutional amendments that provide rights related to legal proceedings. The Fifth Amendment includes protections against self-incrimination and guarantees due process, while the Sixth Amendment ensures the right to a fair trial, legal counsel, and an impartial jury.

Miranda Rule

The legal requirement that individuals taken into police custody must be informed of their rights to an attorney and against self-incrimination before being interrogated.

Public Safety Exception

allows law enforcement to question a suspect without reading Miranda rights if there is an immediate threat to public safety.

Gideon v. Wainwright

is a landmark Supreme Court case that held that the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to legal counsel for defendants in criminal cases who cannot afford an attorney.

Right to Privacy

is the concept that one's personal information is protected from public scrutiny, and it includes the right to make personal decisions about various life aspects without government interference.

Roe v. Wade

is a landmark Supreme Court decision that established a woman's legal right to have an abortion under the right to privacy.

Civil Liberties

describe the freedoms protected by the Constitution

Civil Rights

The effort to ensure that civil liberties are applied to all citizens, without discrimination, regardless of race, national origin, religion, or gender

Civil Rights Movement

refers to the struggle for social justice and equality in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, aimed at ending racial segregation and discrimination.

Brown v. The Board of Education

A landmark Supreme Court case from 1954 that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson.

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

A letter written by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963, defending the strategy of nonviolent resistance to racism and addressing criticism from white clergymen.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

A significant piece of legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and aimed to end segregation in public places and schools.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

A landmark piece of legislation that aimed to eliminate barriers to voting for African Americans, outlawing discriminatory practices such as literacy tests and ensuring federal oversight of voter registration in areas with a history of racial discrimination.

Women’s Rights Movement

A social movement aimed at achieving equal rights and opportunities for women, focusing on issues such as suffrage, reproductive rights, and workplace equality.

Title IX

A federal law enacted in 1972 that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or educational program receiving federal funding, significantly impacting gender equality in athletics and education.

Defense of Marriage Act

A law passed in 1996 that defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman for federal purposes, allowing states to refuse recognition of same-sex marriages.

Congressional Districts

Geographical divisions for electing representatives to the U.S. House of Representatives, each representing a portion of a state's population.

Shaw v. Reno

A landmark Supreme Court case from 1993 that held redistricting plans cannot be based predominantly on race, emphasizing the importance of equal protection under the law.

Reverse Discrimination

The concept of discrimination against members of a dominant or majority group, often in the context of affirmative action and equal opportunity legislation.