U.S. Voting Rights and Civil Rights Legislation Overview

who could vote in early US history

white male property owners

15th amendment (1870)

prohibited the denial to vote based on race

19th amendment (1920)

gave women the right to vote

26th amendment (1971)

lowered the voting age to 18

what was the cause of expanded voting rights

civil rights movements and growing democratic ideals

what was the effect of expanded voting rights

more voters

during what years were major voter stopping tactics used

1870-1965

main preventative actions to stop black voters

poll taxes, literacy tests, intimidation, grandfather clauses and gerrymandering

what was the cause of these barriers

to maintain white dominance

what was the effect

nearly 100 years of black dis empowerment

gerrymandering

manipulating district boundaries

partisan gerrymandering

helps just one political party

racial gerrymandering

reduces minority voting power

incumbent gerrymandering

protects current office holders

civil rights act of 1957

created the civil rights division in the DOJ

civil rights act of 1960

allowed federal inspection of voter registration polls

civil rights act of 1964

ended racial discrimination in voting and public spaces- created the EEOC

what caused these laws

grassroots activism (1950s-1960s)

what was the effect

increased federal involvement in enforcing voting rights

voting rights act

1965-banned literacy tests, poll taxes and all discriminatory voting practices

preclearance

required federal approval before changing election laws

what supreme court case weakened the VRA

Shelby County vs.Holder-2013

what was the effect of the VRA

massive increase in black voter registration

14th amendment

1868-Gives U.S. citizenship to anyone born or naturalized in the country, and makes sure all citizens are treated equally and fairly under the law by every state.

equal protection clause

requires states to apply laws equally to all citizens

when is strict scrutiny used

race, national origin an fundamental rights

what must the government show under strict scrutiny

compelling interest

what case is tied to strict scrutiny

Craig vs. Boren 1976

when is intermediate scrutiny used

gender discrimination cases

What must the government show under intermediate scrutiny

important interest

,

,

when is rational basis review used

most laws not involving suspect

what must the government show under rational bias review

legitimate interest

what case is tied to rational basis review

Williamson vs. Lee Optical

what did Loving vs. Virginia decide

1967- struck down on interracial marriage bans

Plessy vs. Ferguson

allowed segregation under "separate but equal"

Brown vs. Board of Education

1954-Segregation in schools in unlawful

de jure segregation

segregation by law

de facto segregation

segregation by income/housing patterns

Miliken vs. Bradley

1974-limited cross district busing unless intention segregation was proven

Civil Rights Act of 1866

granted equal rights to formerly enslaved people

Civil Rights Act of 1871

(KKK act)- allowed federal intervention when states failed to protect rights

Civil Rights Act of 1957

created the civil rights division

Civil Rights Act of 1964

ended discrimination based on race, religion, sex etc.

Civil Rights Act of 1968

Fair housing act- banned housing discrimination

when did affirmative action policies begin to emerge

1960s

affirmative action

policies to increase opportunities for disadvantaged groups

pros of affirmative action

promotes diversity

cons of affirmative action

criticized as reverse discrimination

Obergefell vs. Hodges

2015- legalized same sex marriage nationwide

when was separate but equal established

Plessy vs. Ferguson- 1896

when were the jim cor laws dominant

1877-1965

when did major federal oversight weaken

2013 after Shelby County vs Holder

When did major federal oversight of voting begin

1965 with the VRA

When was the EEOC created

1964 (via Civil Rights Act of 1964)