PSCI 2306 REVIEW
CIVIL RIGHTS PART 1
1. Who is/was Pete Seeger and what civil rights song is associated with him?
- Pete Seeger was a folk musician and social activist known for singing songs of struggle and hope, including "We Shall Overcome," which became an anthem of the civil rights movement.
2. What is the Equal Protection Clause and where is it found? To whom does it apply?
- The Equal Protection Clause is part of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It applies to all individuals, ensuring that no state shall deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
3. What were Jim Crow laws?
- Jim Crow laws were state and local laws enacted in the Southern United States that enforced racial segregation in all public facilities, creating a "separate but equal" status for Black Americans.
4. Why was the case of Plessy v. Ferguson so important?
- Plessy v. Ferguson established the "separate but equal" doctrine, which upheld state laws requiring racial segregation. This ruling legitimized racial discrimination and segregation laws for decades.
5. What was/is the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund?
- The NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund is an organization established to support legal challenges to racial discrimination and promote civil rights through litigation and education.
6. Who was Thurgood Marshall?
- Thurgood Marshall was a civil rights lawyer who served as the chief counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and later became the first African American Supreme Court Justice. He played a key role in several landmark cases against segregation.
7. Please review the cases that went to the Supreme Court before the Brown case and know how the SC ruled on them.
- These cases involved challenges to segregation in higher education. The Supreme Court generally ruled that separate educational facilities could not be equal, establishing precedents for challenging segregation.
8. What did the Supreme Court say about the new separate law school that Texas created for Black students (Sweatt v. Painter)?
- The Supreme Court ruled that the separate law school created for Heman Sweatt was inferior to the University of Texas Law School, thus he must be admitted to the latter.
9. How did the legal question in Brown v. Board of Education differ from the legal questions in earlier rulings such as Sweatt v. Painter?
- Brown v. Board of Education questioned whether separate educational facilities could ever be equal, while earlier cases focused more on specific instances of segregation rather than the overarching legality of separate but equal.
10. What important ruling did the SC make in the Brown v. Board of Education case? What was the language used by the Court?
- The Supreme Court ruled that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal," declaring that segregation in public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause.
11. Who is Ruby Bridges?
- Ruby Bridges was the first Black child to integrate an all-white elementary school in the South, specifically in New Orleans in 1960. She was escorted by U.S. Marshals for her safety.
12. Who was Jimmie Lee Jackson?
- Jimmie Lee Jackson was a civil rights activist who was killed by police during a peaceful march in Alabama. His death helped galvanize support for voting rights.
13. Who was Rosa Parks?
- Rosa Parks was an African American civil rights activist best known for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white person in Montgomery, Alabama, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
14. Who was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a prominent civil rights leader who advocated for nonviolent protest against racial segregation and discrimination. He played a key role in many civil rights activities, including the March on Washington.
15. How did Southern States react to the ruling in the Brown case? What seemed to persuade many school districts to finally integrate?
- Many Southern states resisted the Brown ruling through massive resistance, including shutting down public schools. Eventually, federal pressure, including civil rights activism and legislation, helped persuade school districts to integrate.
16. What were white primaries?
- White primaries were primary elections in the Southern United States in which only white voters were allowed to participate, effectively disenfranchising Black voters.
17. How did the poll tax in Texas work?
- The poll tax required voters to pay a fee to register to vote, which disenfranchised many poor and minority voters. It was in effect from 1902 until it was abolished for federal elections in 1964.
18. Which civil rights law dealt with voting issues? What did it do?
- The Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to eliminate barriers to voting for Black Americans, suspending literacy tests and sending federal registrars to ensure fair voting practices.
19. What was Bloody Sunday?
- Bloody Sunday refers to the brutal attack on civil rights marchers by Alabama state troopers on March 7, 1965, during a march from Selma to Montgomery, which drew national attention to the civil rights movement.
20. How did the March from Selma to Montgomery affect voting rights? What did the President do after the March to call attention to the voting issues of Black Americans?
- The March from Selma to Montgomery highlighted the need for voting rights for Black Americans, leading President Lyndon B. Johnson to advocate for and eventually sign the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
21. What was the purpose of the lunch counter sit-ins and where did they take place?
- The lunch counter sit-ins aimed to protest racial segregation in public eating establishments. One notable example occurred at Woolworth's in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1960, where Black students sat at segregated counters to demand service.
22. What law made segregated public accommodations illegal?
- The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it illegal to discriminate against any customer in public accommodations based on race, color, religion, or national origin.
23. What was the constitutional basis of the law that required integration of places of public accommodation?
- The law was based on Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce, as segregation in public accommodations affected interstate commerce.
24. Please review the details of the filibuster against the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- Southern Senators conducted a filibuster against the Civil Rights Act, trying to block its passage by requiring 67 votes to end debate. It took significant political maneuvering and public pressure to finally pass the Act.
25. In what case did the Supreme Court uphold the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
- The Supreme Court upheld the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the case of Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States, affirming the law's constitutionality and its application to private businesses.
CIVIL RIGHTS PART 2
### What is patriarchy? What are some facts that show our society is patriarchal?
- Patriarchy is a form of social organization in which men hold power and women are largely excluded. It is recognized as the dominant legal, religious, and cultural view in the world today.
- Facts showing a patriarchal society include that less than 20% of the world’s landholders are women, women make up more than two-thirds of the world’s illiterate population, and women in Sub-Saharan Africa spend significant time collecting water.
### How did the English Common Law view women?
- The English Common Law rendered women legally inferior. It established that “the husband and the wife are one, and that one is the husband,” which meant that married women had limited rights.
### What happened legally to a woman when she married?
- Upon marriage, a woman lost her legal identity. She could not own or control wages, could not get a divorce, and could not inherit.
### What were the major factors that underlay the Second Women’s Rights Movement (the 1960s)?
- Key factors included the election of President Kennedy, the publication of Betty Friedan’s "The Feminine Mystique," the availability of oral contraceptives, and the effects of the civil rights movement.
### What did President Kennedy do to advance women’s rights?
- President Kennedy appointed a Commission on the Status of Women, which raised awareness and highlighted the issues facing women in society.
### What was Betty Friedan’s book and what was her argument about women and life satisfaction?
- Betty Friedan’s book was "The Feminine Mystique," in which she argued that many women were dissatisfied with their domestic roles and sought fulfillment beyond traditional expectations.
### How did the availability of oral contraceptives affect the women’s rights movement and society in general?
- The availability of oral contraceptives allowed women greater control over their reproductive choices, enabling them to pursue education and careers, thereby contributing to the women’s rights movement.
### Be sure to understand each of the following concepts and when each was important: Patriarchy; Romantic Paternalism; Protectionism.
- Patriarchy: A societal structure where men hold power over women.
- Romantic Paternalism: An idea from colonial times suggesting that women needed protection from the cruelties of life, leading to laws that enforced male protection.
- Protectionism: Around 1900, laws were enacted to protect women in the workplace, viewing the world as dangerous for women.
### What did women do during World War II?
- Women entered the workforce in large numbers to fill roles vacated by men who went to war, contributing significantly to the war effort.
### Why do we say that the decade of the 1950s was the decade of domesticity?
- The 1950s emphasized traditional roles for women, promoting domesticity as women were encouraged to focus on home and family, often idealized in media and culture.
### What were the exceptions to the Equal Pay Act of 1963?
- Exceptions to the Equal Pay Act included merit, productivity, and seniority.
### Who was Eleanor Roosevelt?
- Eleanor Roosevelt was a prominent political figure and activist who advocated for women's rights and social justice, serving as the First Lady of the United States.
### When did the Supreme Court apply the Equal Protection Clause to women?
- The Supreme Court applied the Equal Protection Clause to women in 1971 with the ruling in Reed v. Reed.
### What was the purpose of the Education Act Amendments of 1972 (Title IX)?
- The purpose of Title IX was to prevent gender discrimination in educational programs and activities, ensuring equal opportunities for women and girls in education.
### Please review the laws we discussed that were enacted in the 1960s and 1970s to benefit women.
- Key laws include the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Education Act Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974.
### What happened to the Equal Rights Amendment? Who opposed its ratification?
- The Equal Rights Amendment was proposed but not ratified. It faced opposition from various groups, including some women’s organizations who believed it could undermine certain protections for women.
### Be able to list some of the continuing concerns of women in the United States.
- Continuing concerns include domestic violence, reproductive rights, poverty, and access to affordable childcare.
### How are women affected by poverty?
- Women, especially those in single-parent families, often face higher rates of poverty, with many living below the poverty line.
### Why is the cost of child care of concern to many people?
- The cost of childcare is a significant financial burden for many families, with many parents spending a large percentage of their income on childcare, making it unaffordable.
### What does feminization of poverty refer to?
- The feminization of poverty refers to the increasing proportion of women, especially single mothers, living in poverty compared to men.
CIVIL RIGHTS PART 3
### 1. Why are Latinos/Hispanics such an important and powerful group in the United States?
Latinos are the nation’s largest and fastest-growing minority group, accounting for 19% of the total U.S. population (64.9 million in 2022). Their increasing numbers contribute significantly to voter turnout and political power, as evidenced by the 16.6 million votes cast by Latinos in the 2020 election, a 30.9% increase from 2016.
### 2. What is the meaning of the term Hispanic, according to the Census Bureau?
According to the Census Bureau, the term "Hispanic" refers to a person’s origin rather than their race or ethnicity. It encompasses individuals from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and countries in Central and South America settled by Spain.
### 3. What is DACA? What is the common characteristic of persons covered by DACA?
DACA stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. It was created by President Obama for individuals who came to the U.S. as minors (under age 16). Currently, about 690,000 young adults are protected under this program.
### 4. When and why were Mexican workers invited to come to the U.S. to work? What ultimately happened each time?
Mexican workers were invited during World Wars I and II due to labor shortages in the U.S. They were brought in through programs like the Bracero program in the 1940s. However, following these periods, the U.S. began deporting many Mexicans, with significant deportations occurring in the 1930s and again from 1954 to 1958, when about 3.8 million were deported.
### 5. What are LULAC and MALDEF?
LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) and MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund) are important political organizations that advocate for the rights and interests of Latinos in the U.S.
### 6. What are some important issues of the LGBTQ community? What event is considered the beginning of the Gay Pride movement?
Important issues include discrimination, the fight for same-sex marriage, and broader rights protections. The police raid of the Stonewall Inn in June 1969 is widely considered the catalyst for the Gay Pride movement.
### 7. When and how did the Supreme Court rule on the issue of same-sex marriage? What is the attitude of a majority of Americans toward same-sex marriage at this time?
In June 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that the right to marry extends to same-sex couples. As of October 2020, 70% of Americans support same-sex marriage.
### 8. What law is the most important for Americans with disabilities? How does that law relate to the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enacted in 1990, is the most important law for persons with disabilities. It extends protections similar to those in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, requiring reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.
### 9. What important ruling of the Supreme Court in 2020 expanded the coverage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964? What specific word was interpreted to cover more people?
In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects gay, lesbian, and transgender employees from discrimination based on sex. The specific word interpreted to cover more people was "sex."
### 10. Be sure to review the details of internment of Japanese Americans and the legal context of their treatment. What has happened since?
During World War II, Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated and interned in camps. The Supreme Court upheld this action as legal in 1944. In 1988, Congress passed the Civil Liberties Act, which apologized for the internment and provided reparations to the families of those affected.
### 11. Be sure to review the many ways that Native Americans/American Indians have suffered mistreatment in the United States.
Native Americans have faced violence, forced relocations, theft of land, and violations of treaties. They have suffered from poverty, with one in three living in poverty and facing high unemployment rates. Additionally, violence against Indigenous women is at alarming levels, with many experiencing violence and murder rates significantly higher than other ethnicities.
CONGRESS PART 1
1. What is a term of Congress? What is a session? What term and session are we currently in?
- A term of Congress lasts two years, beginning in an odd-numbered year and ending in an even-numbered year. Each year is called a session. We are currently in the second session of the 118th Congress.
2. What do recent Gallup polls reveal about the popularity of Congress?
- Congress has been consistently unpopular. For example, in February 2024, only 12% approved of Congress, while 83% disapproved.
3. Who is the current Speaker of the House?
- Mike Johnson.
4. Who is the current President of the Senate?
- The Vice President of the United States.
5. What is the total membership of the House?
- 435 members.
6. When did the House membership become fixed at that number?
- In 1910, Congress enacted a law to freeze House membership at 435.
7. What do we call the geographic areas that House members represent?
- Congressional districts.
8. What is it called when the seats in the House are reallocated/redistributed? After what event does that reallocation of House membership take place?
- This process is called reapportionment, which takes place after each Census.
9. What does it mean to say that redistricting has taken place? Who is in charge of that process in most states?
- Redistricting means the lines for Congressional districts are redrawn to ensure equal population. This is typically managed by state legislators.
10. How many new House seats did Texas get in the latest reapportionment?
- The specific number of new seats wasn't provided, but Texas gained members in the most recent reapportionment.
11. What is gerrymandering? What is its purpose?
- Gerrymandering refers to drawing district lines to protect or change political power and is often seen as unfair.
12. What are some of the factors that have to be considered when district lines are being redrawn?
- Contiguity, compactness, community of interest, and political boundaries.
13. If you want to be elected to Congress, what is the most important first step?
- Getting elected the first time.
14. What kinds of activities do Members of Congress carry out daily?
- Attending committee meetings, working on legislation, overseeing casework for constituents, maintaining a strong presence in their district, and dealing with the media.
15. In the organization of Congress, what happens to Independents?
- They may align with either major party but do not have a specific party structure within Congress.
16. What is an incumbent?
- An incumbent is the person currently holding an elective position.
17. What are the advantages of being the incumbent?
- Recognizable, can raise money more easily, gets benefits for their district, and has a service strategy for constituents.
18. What disadvantages might there also be for incumbents?
- Angry voters, effects of elections, being targeted for defeat, and potential scandals.
19. What is it called when the House of Representatives brings charges against the president or other high official?
- Impeachment.
20. Who conducts the trial on impeachment charges?
- The Senate holds the trial.
21. What are some of the issues that a Congressional office might help a constituent with?
- Issues like Social Security, Veterans Affairs, healthcare, etc.
22. How would you describe the current Congress in terms of its representativeness?
- The 118th Congress is the most racially and ethnically diverse in history.
23. When did representation become an aspect of democratic government?
- Representation became significant during the American and French Revolutions.
24. Please be sure to review the process by which a bill becomes law.
- Bills are proposed, referred to committees, may have hearings and be marked up, and then are sent to the House Rules Committee or to the Senate.
25. What is the House Rules Committee and what does it do?
- It sets the rules for debate in the House and is considered the Speaker’s Committee.
26. What kind of bills must originate in the House of Representatives?
- Revenue bills must originate in the House.
27. What does a conference committee do and why is it necessary?
- A conference committee reconciles differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.
28. What are the president’s options when he receives a bill from Congress?
- The president can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature if Congress is in session.
29. What do we mean when we say that the legislative process has multiple vetoes?
- Legislation can die at various stages of the process, requiring consensus at each point.
30. What is a filibuster and what was its original purpose? How can a filibuster be ended?
- A filibuster is used by the minority to stall a bill, originally to protect the interests of Southern slaveholders. It can be ended by cloture.
31. What was important about ending the filibuster on the Civil Rights Bill of 1964?
- It marked the first time the Senate stopped a filibuster on a civil rights bill.
32. What are some factors that account for how a member votes on a bill?
- Political party alignment, presidential influence, constituent views, interest group pressure, and personal values.
33. Please review the basic facts about the Texas legislature.
- The Texas legislature is bicameral with a House of 150 members and a Senate of 31 members.
34. How many members are there in the Texas House? The Texas Senate?
- Texas House: 150 members; Texas Senate: 31 members.
35. What are the meeting limits imposed by the Texas Constitution?
- The legislature meets every other year and for no more than 140 days.
36. Who can call a special session of the Texas legislature?
- Only the governor can call a special session.
37. What are some of the big issues facing Texas, according to your slides?
- Funding of state universities, residents without insurance, immigration/border security, redistricting, and funding of public education.