ap gov unit 3 Flashcards
What are civil liberties?
Protections against government actions, primarily found in the Bill of Rights.
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution that limit government power and protect individual freedoms.
What is selective incorporation?
The process by which the Supreme Court applies the Bill of Rights to the states using the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment.
What was the ruling in Engel v. Vitale (1962)?
School-sponsored prayer in public schools violates the Establishment Clause.
What was the ruling in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)?
States cannot force Amish children to attend school past 8th grade due to religious beliefs (Free Exercise Clause).
What was the ruling in Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)?
Students’ symbolic speech (wearing armbands in protest) is protected under the First Amendment.
What was the ruling in Schenck v. United States (1919)?
Speech creating a ‘clear and present danger’ is not protected (e.g., shouting ‘fire’ in a crowded theater).
What was the ruling in McDonald v. Chicago (2010)?
Incorporated the Second Amendment to the states, striking down handgun bans.
What was the ruling in Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)?
Guaranteed the right to an attorney in state felony cases.
What was the ruling in Miranda v. Arizona (1966)?
Established the requirement that suspects be informed of their rights (Miranda Rights: right to remain silent, right to an attorney).
What was the ruling in Roe v. Wade (1973)?
Established a constitutional right to privacy, legalizing abortion in the first trimester.
What are civil rights?
Protections against discrimination and ensuring equal treatment under the law.
What is the Equal Protection Clause?
Part of the Fourteenth Amendment used to combat discrimination and segregation.
What was the ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)?
Established ‘separate but equal,’ upholding segregation.
What was the ruling in Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?
Overturned Plessy, ruling that segregation in public schools violates the Equal Protection Clause.
What was the ruling in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978)?
Ruled that racial quotas in college admissions are unconstitutional but affirmative action is allowed.
What was the ruling in Grutter v. Bollinger (2003)?
Upheld affirmative action in college admissions as long as race is one of many factors.
What is the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
Legislation that banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public places and employment.
What is the Voting Rights Act of 1965?
Legislation that eliminated barriers like literacy tests that restricted Black voters.
What is Title IX (1972)?
Prohibited sex-based discrimination in federally funded education.
What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)?
Prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
What is the Patriot Act (2001)?
Expanded government surveillance powers post-9/11, sparking debate over security vs. privacy.
What is the USA Freedom Act (2015)?
Revised government surveillance programs to address privacy concerns.
What is affirmative action?
Policies aimed at increasing diversity in education and employment.
What was the ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)?
Legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
What are ongoing debates in civil rights?
Police reform and voting rights, focusing on racial disparities and voting laws.
What is the difference between civil liberties and civil rights?
Civil liberties protect individual freedoms from government actions, while civil rights ensure equal treatment under the law.
What is the Establishment Clause?
Part of the First Amendment that prohibits the government from establishing a religion.
What is the Free Exercise Clause?
Part of the First Amendment that protects individuals’ rights to practice their religion.
What is due process?
Legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person.
