Civil Rights

Civil Rights

Protects groups and individuals from discrimination.

Equal Protection Clause

The primary clause used to extend civil rights, found in the 14th Amendment.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery, except for punishment for crimes.

14th Amendment

Defines citizenship as birthright citizenship and overturns the Dred Scott decision.

15th Amendment

Extends suffrage to African Americans.

Civil Rights Acts of 1865 and 1875

Series of laws passed to enforce the 13th-15th Amendments, found unconstitutional by SCOTUS initially, but constitutional 100 years later.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Established the 'separate but equal' doctrine supporting segregation.

White Primaries

Forbid black people from voting in primary elections.

Literacy Tests

Significantly harder tests given to black people as a voting requirement.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Outlawed discriminatory voter registration tests and required federal approval for changes in voting laws in areas with a history of discrimination.

24th Amendment

Eliminated poll taxes, leading to an increase in minority voting.

De Facto Segregation

Segregation stemming from past social and economic conditions.

De Jure Segregation

Segregation that occurs due to laws or administrative decisions.

Strict Scrutiny Standard

Legal standard requiring that a law must be narrowly tailored to serve a compelling governmental interest, used in racial discrimination cases.

Affirmative Action

Efforts to level the playing field after generations of discrimination.

Title VII - Civil Rights Act of 1964

Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in employment.

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Mandates that all public buildings and services must be accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Lawrence v. Texas

Supreme Court case holding that laws against sodomy violate the due process clause of the 14th Amendment.

DOMA - Defense of Marriage Act

Banned federal recognition of gay couples and allowed states to ignore same-sex marriages performed in other states.

Obergefell v. Hodges

Supreme Court case holding that denying same-sex couples the right to marry violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.