U.S. Civil Rights, War, and Policy: Key Supreme Court Cases and Legislation

What did Mapp v. Ohio rule?

Evidence obtained without a warrant or through illegal searches cannot be used in court (violates 4th Amendment).

What did Miranda v. Arizona establish?

People must be informed of their rights (Miranda rights) when taken into custody.

What was the significance of Gideon v. Wainwright?

If a person cannot afford a lawyer, one must be provided (6th Amendment).

What did Escobedo v. Illinois decide?

A suspect has the right to a lawyer during police interrogation.

What did Engel v. Vitale rule?

School-sponsored prayer is unconstitutional.

What was Freedom Summer?

A 1964 campaign where activists went to Mississippi to register Black voters, teach, and fight segregation; faced violence and murders.

What did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 do?

Ended segregation in public places and banned discrimination; enforced by federal government.

What was the purpose of the Economic Opportunity Act?

To fight poverty by creating programs like Job Corps, VISTA, and Head Start.

What does Job Corps do?

Provides job training for young, low-income individuals.

What is VISTA?

Volunteers helping poor communities in the U.S. with education, housing, and jobs.

Who does Medicare help?

People age 65 and older with healthcare.

Who does Medicaid help?

Low-income individuals and families with healthcare.

What does HUD do?

Improves housing and urban development to reduce poverty.

What did the Immigration Act of 1965 change?

Ended quota system and allowed more immigrants from non-European countries.

What did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 accomplish?

Banned literacy tests and protected Black voting rights.

What was the Model Cities Program?

Improved poor urban areas and provided housing support.

What is Head Start?

Early education and support for disadvantaged children.

What was the CAP Initiative?

Allowed communities to design anti-poverty programs.

How was LBJ 'more Kennedy than Kennedy'?

He passed major laws JFK couldn't, especially civil rights laws.

What was the significance of the Freedom Democratic Party?

Challenged the all-white Democratic Party and exposed racism.

Why was Proposition 14 important?

It allowed housing discrimination, showing resistance to civil rights.

How was Barry Goldwater viewed?

As very conservative and too extreme.

Why was the Election of 1964 important?

LBJ won in a landslide and Democrats gained control of Congress.

What was 'The Other America'?

A book exposing poverty that influenced LBJ's War on Poverty.

What was LBJ's response to 'handouts' criticism?

Programs helped people help themselves.

What were the results of the Great Society?

Reduced poverty and expanded rights, but didn't eliminate problems.

What tactic did the Vietcong use?

Guerrilla warfare.

What were 'search and destroy' missions?

U.S. attacks on villages suspected of helping Vietcong.

What was Agent Orange used for?

Destroy jungle/forest cover.

What is napalm?

A gasoline-based bomb used in Vietnam.

What was the Gulf of Tonkin incident?

Alleged attack on U.S. ships (Maddox & Turner Joy) by North Vietnam.

What did the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution do?

Gave LBJ power to escalate the war without a formal declaration.

What was Operation Rolling Thunder?

U.S. bombing campaign in North Vietnam.

What was the Tet Offensive (1968)?

A large Vietcong attack that shocked Americans and hurt morale.

What is the 'credibility gap'?

Difference between what LBJ said and what people saw on TV.

Who were Hawks and Doves?

Hawks supported the war; Doves opposed it.

Who made up most anti-war protesters?

College students.

Why was Vietnam called a 'limited war'?

No formal declaration of war by Congress.

How did television impact the Vietnam War?

Made war more visible and increased public opposition.

Why didn't LBJ run for re-election?

War criticism and falling support; he also halted bombing.