AP GOV UNIT 3

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that protect the liberties of American citizens from their government.

Civil Liberties

Fundamental rights and freedoms protected by law, such as freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and due process.

Establishment Clause

Part of the First Amendment prohibiting the government from establishing an official religion or favoring one religion over another.

Free Exercise Clause

Provision in the First Amendment that protects individuals' rights to practice their religion freely without government interference.

Engle v Vitale

A Supreme Court case ruling against school prayer based on the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Selective Incorporation

The process by which the Supreme Court applies provisions of the Bill of Rights to the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

14th Amendment

Addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law.

Due Process Clause

Part of the 14th Amendment guaranteeing that no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.

Wisconsin v Yoder

A Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Amish community, determining compulsory education laws violated the free exercise clause.

Freedom of Speech

The right to express one's thoughts, opinions, and ideas without government interference.

Tinker v Des Moines

A Supreme Court ruling in favor of students' right to wear armbands in school as a form of symbolic speech.

Schenck v United States

A Supreme Court ruling stating that Schenck's pamphlets inciting unlawful action did not violate his freedom of speech due to creating a clear and present danger.

Freedom of the Press

Essential for democracy, ensuring the public is informed about government actions.

New York Times v The United States

A landmark Supreme Court case protecting the freedom of the press.

Second Amendment

States that citizens have the right to own a gun.

McDonald v Chicago

A Supreme Court case that incorporated the Second Amendment right to bear arms to the states.

Eighth Amendment

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, ensuring balance between liberty and public order.

Fourth Amendment

Protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures without a valid legal warrant.

Exclusionary Rule

Prevents evidence obtained through illegal means from being used in court.

Fifth Amendment

Protects individuals from self-incrimination and guarantees due process of law.

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees the rights of individuals accused of crimes, including the right to counsel.

Miranda Rule

Requires arresting officers to inform individuals of their rights to protect individual liberty.

Public Safety Exception

Allows evidence obtained without reading Miranda rights to be admissible if it was related to public safety.

Gideon v Wainwright

A landmark case ensuring the right to counsel for defendants in criminal cases who cannot afford an attorney.

Right to Privacy

Protects individuals from unwarranted government intrusion into their personal lives.

Roe v Wade

A Supreme Court ruling supporting women's right to an abortion based on the right to privacy.

Civil Rights

Efforts made to ensure civil liberties are applied to all citizens without discrimination.

Civil Rights Movement

A social and political movement aimed at ending racial discrimination in the 1950s and 1960s.

NAACP

An organization formed to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans.

Brown v Board of Education

A landmark case that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Equal Protection Clause

Mandates that no state shall deny any person equal protection of the laws.

Letter from Birmingham Jail

Martin Luther King Jr.'s argument that nonviolent civil disobedience is necessary for racial justice.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

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

Voting Rights Act of 1963

Eliminated racial discrimination in voting and aimed to ensure equal access to the electoral process.

Title IX

Ensures women have the same educational opportunities at institutions receiving federal funding.

Obergefell v. Hodges

The Court ruled that state ban on same-sex marriage violated the 14th Amendment.

Congressional Redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries to ensure fair representation.

Affirmative Action

Policies that favor historically discriminated groups in employment and education.

Regents of the University of California v Bakke

Determined constitutionality of affirmative action while prohibiting racial quotas in admissions.

First Amendment

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

Third Amendment

Prohibits the government from forcing citizens to house soldiers in their homes without consent.

Ninth Amendment

Prevents the government from depriving individuals of fundamental rights.