10. Civil Rights Flashcards
What are civil rights?
the freedoms and privileges afforded to ALL citizens of a political community
What are some examples of powerful groups utilizing the Institutions of the US in order to promote their own narrow interests?
Slavery and Jim Crow Era
Restricted voting rights through literacy exams and
Discrimination against women, blacks, immigrants, and religious groups
What was the Dred Scott Vs Sanford ruling?
The Supreme Court ruled that slaves are NOT citizens. They are property and have no right to sue
What Constitutional amendments deal with protecting the civil rights of African Americans?
13th Amendment abolishes slavery, 14th amendment gives equal protection and due process law, and the 15th amendment gives African Americans the right to vote
Even though states passed these rights giving African Americans freedom how would other states restrict these rights?
By passing discriminatory laws, literacy texts, poll taxes, voting day harrassment etc
What was the Civil Rights Act?
It was also called the ‘enforcment act’ that sought to protect blacks from discimination. They ruled that the 14th amendment only applied to public areas of life, however discrimination in private was allowed
Why is the Plessey vs Ferguson case significant
It established the ‘separate but equal’ policy. If black and white spaces are ‘equal’ then forced segregation is legal
Why is the Brown Vs Board of Education Case significant?
The issue was Kansas schools denied African Americans to enroll in all-white public schools. The Supreme Court ruled that the ‘separate but equal’ clause did not make sense and this began the slow reversal of segregation
What did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 actually do?
It formally banned segregation in ALL public spaces. Banned employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin
What did the Voting Rights Act do?
Banned discriminatory voting practices designed to discourage voting among minorities. Poll taxes, literacy taxes etc
Why is the 19th Amendment significant?
Gave women the right to vote
What was the Obergefell vs Hodges case?
Landmark case that established the constitutionally protected right to gay marriage
