Chapter 4 - 4/7 - The protection of civil liberties and rights Flashcards
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first ten amendments to the Constitution.
What rights are protected in the original Constitution?
- All states to play a part in electing the president.
- The right of Congress to make laws.
- Freedom from tyranny, through the creation of checks and balances - this right is therefore embedded throughout the document.
When was the Bill of Rights ratified?
1791
Where are the most prominent civil and personal rights found?
The Bill of Rights
When was the case of Town of Greece v Galloway?
2014
What right did the case of Town of Greece v Galloway concern?
First Amendment - Freedom of religion.
What was the ruling of the Town of Greece v Galloway?
The Supreme Court ruled that legislative bodies could begin their meetings with prayer even if they favoured one particular religion.
What was the issue concerned in Town of Greece v Galloway?
Whether legislative bodies could begin their meetings with prayers, and whether this violated the First Amendment which prohibits the “establishment of religion”.
What does the First Amendment prohibit?
“an establishment of religion”
What does the First Amendment say with regards to freedom of speech?
“Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.”
When was the case of McDonald v City of Chicago?
2010
What did the case of McDonald v City of Chicago concern?
The Second Amendment - the right to bear arms.
What was the ruling of the case of McDonald v City of Chicago?
The Supreme Court declared that the Second Amendment gives people the fundamental right to bear arms.
What is the Fifth Amendment?
The right to silence
When was the case of Miranda v Arizona?
1966
What are the details of Miranda v Arizona?
Ernesto Miranda confessed to rape not realising he had the right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment.
What was the ruling of Miranda v Arizona?
The Supreme Court ruled that Miranda had been denied his rights and from that point on every suspect must be read their rights - this is where ‘Miranda rights’ come from.
What did the case of Miranda v Arizona concern?
The Fifth Amendment - the right to silence
How many states still have the death penalty?
27
When was the case of Roper v Simmons?
2005
What right did the case of Roper v Simmons concern?
The Eighth Amendment - cruel and unusual punishments
What was the ruling of Roper v Simmons?
It is unconstitutional to sentence anyone to death for a crime committed when they were younger than 18, as it infringed the Eighth Amendment.
What are the Thirteenth - Fifteenth Amendments called?
The Reconstruction Amendments
What does the Thirteenth Amendment say?
“Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude…shall exist within the United States”
