APGOVCh.4.Hannah.Esparza Flashcards
The Crown v. Zinger (1735)
Legal case in the colony of New York that is considered a precursor to free press provisions in the constitution. The case did not set legal precedent, but did reflect a difference between British authorities and colonists with regard to press freedoms
The Crown v. Zinger decision set an important standard for civil liberties that found its way into colonial and state constitutions.
civil liberties
the personal guarantees and freedoms that the government cannot abridge by law, constitution, or juridical interpretation
Civil liberties place limitations on the power of the government to restrain or dictate an individual’s actions.
civil rights
the government-protected rights of individuals against arbitrary of discriminatory treatment by governments or individuals
Civil rights often present complex problems.
bill of rights
the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which largely guarantee specific rights and liberties
The Bill of Rights contains numerous specific guarantees against encroachment by the national government
9th Amendment
part of the bill of rights that makes it clear that enumerating rights in the Constitution or bill of rights does not mean that others do not exist
The 9th Amendment played a critical role when the Supreme Court began to address the constitutionality of state laws prohibiting contraceptives.
10th Amendment
the final part of the bill of rights that defines the basic principle of American federalism in stating that the powers not delegated to the national government are reserved to the states or to the people
The 10th Amendment reiterates that powers not delegated to the national government are reserved to the states or to the people
14th Amendment
1 of the 3 major amendments enacted after the civil war, extending “evaluation protection of the law” to all citizens
The 14th Amendment was added to the Constitution in 1868.
due process clause
clause contained in the 5th and 14th amendments; over the years, it has been construed to guarantee a variety of rights to individuals
The due process clause is part of the 14th amendment.
substantive due process
judicial interpretation of the 5th and 14th amendments’ due process clauses. protects citizens from arbitrary or unjust state or federal laws
The substantive due process required states to prove that their laws constituted a valid exercise of their power to regulate the health, welfare, or public morals of citizens.
sedition laws
laws that make it illegal to speak or write any political criticism that threaten to diminish respect for the government, its laws, or public officials. state sedition laws were overturned as a result of the 1925 Gitlow Supreme Court decision
Sedition laws made it illegal to speak or write any political criticism that threatened to diminish respect of the government.
Gitlow v. New York (1925)
a Supreme Court case that extended the 1st Amendment’s protections of freedom of speech and of the press to the state governments
In Gilton v. New York the justices noted that states were not completely free to limit forms of political expression.
incorporation doctrine
an interpretation of the constitution holding that the due process clause of the 14th amendment requires state and local governments to guarantee the rights stated in the Bill of Rights
Gitlow v. New York was the 1st decision to clearly articulate the incorporation doctrine.
selective incorporation
a judicial doctrine whereby most, but not all, protections found in the Bill of Rights are made applicable to the states via the 14th amendment
The court has used the process of selective incorporation to limit the rights of states.
fundamental freedoms
those rights defined by the court as essential to order, liberty and justice and therefore entitled to the highest standard of review
Fundamental freedoms are subject to the Court’s most rigorous standard of review.
warren court
the period in Supreme Court history during which Earl Warren served as chief justice (1953-1969), noted for its many rulings expanding civil liberties and civil rights
The warren court was considered to be liberal.
earl warren
the 14th chief justice of the u.s. and led the court through an important liberal phase; previously a republican governor and vice president nominee
Earl Warren was responsible for 10 decisions in multiple major cases.
1st amendment
part of the bill or rights that imposes a number of restrictions on the federal government with respect to civil liberties, including freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition
The 1st amendment sets the boundaries of governmental action.
establishment clause
the 1st clause of the 1st amendment; it directs the national government not to sanction an official religion
The establishment clause directs the national government not to sanction an official religion.
free exercise clause
the 2nd clause of the 1st amendment; it prohibits the u.s. government from interfering with a citizen’s right to practice his or her religion
The free exercise clause guarantees citizens that the national government will not interfere with practice of the religion.
lemon test
3 part test created by the supreme court for examining the constitutionality of religious establishment issues
According to the lemon test a practice or policy is constitutional under the establishment clause if it has a legitimate secular purpose, neither advances nor inhibits religion and does not foster an excessive government entanglement with religion.
prior restraint
constitutional doctrine that prevents the government from prohibiting speech or publication before the fact; generally held to be in a violation of the 1st amendment
The 1st amendment was considered to protect against prior restraint.
alien and sedition acts
laws passed in 1798 that allowed the imprisonment and deportation of aliens considered dangerous and criminalized false statements against the government
The Federalist Congress enacted the alien and sedition acts.
abolitionist
a supporter, especially in the early 19th century, of an end to the institution of slavery
In the 1930s abolitionists sought to end slavery.
abraham lincoln
16th president of the u.s., the 1st elected republican president, who served from 1861-1865. lincoln, who led during the civil war, was assassinated in 1865 by a confederate sympathizer, john wilkes booth
During the civil war abraham lincoln took several steps that violated the 1st amendment.