Civil Rights and Liberties

These flashcards cover vocabulary related to civil rights and liberties, including key amendments, landmark court cases, and significant legal concepts.

Civil Rights

Equal Protection of the Laws Clause of the 14th Amendment, ensuring individuals are treated equally under the law.

Civil Liberties

Protections against government actions, found in the Bill of Rights.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee certain individual rights.

Fifth Amendment

Protects against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and guarantees due process.

Due Process

Legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person, found in the 5th and 14th Amendments.

Penumbra Doctrine

The rights implied by the explicit rights in the Constitution, suggesting a right to privacy.

Selective Incorporation

The legal doctrine that ensures states cannot enact laws that contradict the rights granted by the Bill of Rights.

Establishment Clause

Prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or favoring one religion over another.

Free Exercise Clause

Protects individuals' rights to practice their religion as they see fit, as long as it does not violate public morals.

Gitlow v. New York

The 1925 case that marked the first time the Supreme Court applied the First Amendment's Free Speech clause to the states.

Schenck v. United States

The Supreme Court case that established the 'clear and present danger' test for restricting speech.

Roe v. Wade

The landmark decision that established a woman's legal right to have an abortion, based on the right to privacy.

Affirmative Action

Policies that support members of disadvantaged groups in areas such as education and employment to promote equality.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislation that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Outlawed discriminatory voting practices and aimed to enforce voting rights guaranteed by the 14th and 15th Amendments.

McDonald v. Chicago

A Supreme Court case ruling that the Second Amendment is applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Eighth Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments.

Tinker v. Des Moines

A Supreme Court case that upheld the right of students to engage in symbolic speech at school.

Lemon Test

A three-pronged standard used to assess whether a law violates the Establishment Clause.

14th Amendment

Addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law.

Clear and Present Danger Test

A legal standard used to determine when speech can be limited based on its potential to cause harm.

Plessy v. Ferguson

The 1896 Supreme Court case that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Brown v. Board of Education

The 1954 Supreme Court case that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional.

De Facto Segregation

Segregation that occurs without legal enforcement.

De Jure Segregation

Segregation enforced by law.

Right to Privacy

An implied right derived from several amendments that protects individuals' privacy from government intrusion.

Miranda Rights

The rights that must be read to a suspect upon arrest, informing them of their right to remain silent and right to an attorney.