Civil rights Flashcards
1
Q
Describe the significance of the year 1776 in relation to civil rights in America.
A
In 1776, the 13 American colonies declared independence from Britain, stating that ‘all men are created equal’ and emphasizing ‘unalienable rights’ such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which were revolutionary concepts at the time.
2
Q
Explain the exclusion of certain groups from the Declaration of Independence.
A
Women, Native Americans, and enslaved people were excluded from the rights stated in the Declaration of Independence, which claimed that all men are created equal.
3
Q
Define civil liberties and provide examples.
A
Civil liberties are freedoms enjoyed by individuals, such as freedom of religion, speech, and association, which are intended to protect individuals from government authority.
4
Q
How do civil rights differ from civil liberties?
A
Civil rights are protections that ensure certain groups are not discriminated against, while civil liberties are individual freedoms from government interference.
5
Q
Explain the role of the Fourteenth Amendment in civil rights.
A
The Fourteenth Amendment includes the ‘equal protection’ clause, which provides equal protection under the law, originally aimed at former enslaved people but also used to protect other groups.
6
Q
Describe a landmark Supreme Court decision that utilized the Fourteenth Amendment.
A
Brown v. Board of Education is a landmark Supreme Court decision that used the Fourteenth Amendment to ban racial segregation in education.
7
Q
What was the impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?
A
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed discrimination that prevented African Americans from voting, significantly advancing civil rights.
8
Q
How does the Constitution protect civil rights and liberties?
A
The Constitution protects civil rights and liberties through a system of checks and balances, allowing citizens to seek justice if their rights are infringed.
9
Q
Explain the purpose of the Bill of Rights.
A
The Bill of Rights, consisting of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, was intended to protect the civil liberties of individual US citizens from government actions.
10
Q
What was the response of the Third Amendment to British government actions?
A
The Third Amendment, which protects the right not to have military troops quartered in private homes, was a response to the actions of the British government prior to American independence.
11
Q
Discuss the challenges of updating the original Constitution.
A
The original Constitution has been criticized for its difficulty in being updated, which has led to entrenched rights for some groups while excluding others, such as women and African Americans.
12
Q
Describe the impact of the Thirteenth Amendment.
A
The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States, marking a significant step towards civil rights and freedom for formerly enslaved individuals.
13
Q
Explain the significance of the Fourteenth Amendment.
A
The Fourteenth Amendment granted full citizenship to former enslaved people and includes the equal protection clause and due process clause, ensuring that all individuals are treated equally under the law.
14
Q
Do the Fifteenth Amendment and its implications for voting rights.
A
The Fifteenth Amendment granted men of all races, including former enslaved individuals, the right to vote, aiming to eliminate racial discrimination in voting.
15
Q
Define the Nineteenth Amendment and its importance.
A
The Nineteenth Amendment granted women the right to vote on the same terms as men, representing a major advancement in women’s rights and suffrage.
16
Q
How did the Twenty-Fourth Amendment affect voting rights?
A
The Twenty-Fourth Amendment prohibited the imposition of poll taxes in federal elections, helping to ensure that poorer Americans, particularly African Americans, were not disenfranchised.
17
Q
Explain the purpose of the Equal Rights Amendment.
A
The Equal Rights Amendment aimed to make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of sex, promoting gender equality in various aspects of life.
18
Q
Describe the outcome of the Equal Rights Amendment campaign.
A
The Equal Rights Amendment was passed by Congress in 1972 and ratified by 35 states, but it failed to achieve the necessary 38 ratifications within the deadline set by Congress, largely due to opposition from conservative groups such as STOP ERA led by Phyllis Schlafly.
19
Q
What was the ruling in Shelley v Kraemer (1948)?
A
The Supreme Court ruled that restrictive covenants banning the sale of homes to African Americans were unconstitutional, reinforcing the principle of equal housing rights.
20
Q
Summarize the significance of Brown v Board of Education.
A
Brown v Board of Education was a landmark Supreme Court case that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, paving the way for desegregation.
21
Q
How did Griswold v Connecticut (1965) change state laws regarding contraceptives?
A
Griswold v Connecticut ruled that states could not ban the use of contraceptives for married couples, affirming the right to privacy.
22
Q
What rights were established in Miranda v Arizona (1966)?
A
Miranda v Arizona established that suspects must be informed of their Fifth Amendment rights before being questioned by law enforcement.
23
Q
Explain the ruling in Loving v Virginia (1967).
A
Loving v Virginia struck down laws banning interracial marriage, affirming the right to marry regardless of race.
24
Q
What was the outcome of Roe v Wade (1973)?
A
Roe v Wade established a woman’s legal right to have an abortion, recognizing the right to privacy in medical decisions.
25
Describe the implications of Regents of University of California v Bakke (1978).
Regents of University of California v Bakke upheld affirmative action in university admissions, allowing for race to be considered as one factor among many in the application process.
26
Describe the significance of DC v Heller (2008).
DC v Heller (2008) is a landmark Supreme Court case that affirmed an individual's right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.
27
Explain the outcome of Obergefell v Hodges (2015).
Obergefell v Hodges (2015) was a Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage across the United States, ruling that the right to marry is a fundamental right protected by the Constitution.
28
Do businesses have the right to refuse service based on religious beliefs according to Masterpiece Cakeshop v Colorado Civil Rights Commission (2018)?
Yes, the Supreme Court in Masterpiece Cakeshop v Colorado Civil Rights Commission (2018) ruled that a business owner could refuse service based on religious beliefs, but the decision was specific to the case and did not create a broad precedent.
29
How did Altitude Express v Zarda (2020) impact employee rights?
Altitude Express v Zarda (2020) was a Supreme Court case that ruled employees cannot be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, thereby extending protections under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
30
Define the implications of Harris Funeral Homes Inc. v Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (2020).
Harris Funeral Homes Inc. v Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (2020) established that discrimination against employees for being transgender is a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, affirming protections for transgender individuals in the workplace.
31
Explain the role of pressure groups (PGs) in promoting civil rights.
Pressure groups (PGs) play a crucial role in promoting civil rights by advocating for various causes, utilizing methods such as fundraising, public campaigning, political lobbying, and legal campaigning to influence public opinion and policy.
32
Describe the methods used by pressure groups to influence civil rights.
Pressure groups use a variety of methods including fundraising for advertising campaigns, public campaigning through social media and rallies, political lobbying, and legal campaigning by sponsoring cases or writing amicus curiae briefs.
33
How does the ACLU support civil liberties?
The ACLU supports civil liberties by providing legal representation in cases where civil rights are at risk, preparing amicus briefs, and lobbying for policies that uphold the Bill of Rights.
34
What is the significance of the ACLU's involvement in Brown v Board of Education and Roe v Wade?
The ACLU's involvement in Brown v Board of Education and Roe v Wade highlights its commitment to civil rights and liberties, as these cases were pivotal in advancing racial desegregation in schools and women's reproductive rights, respectively.
35
Explain the ACLU's lobbying efforts and financial contributions.
The ACLU lobbies for policies that support civil rights and has spent significant amounts on lobbying, including $1,360,000 in 2024, and supports candidates who uphold civil rights, such as donating $84,000 to a candidate in 2024.
36
Describe the role of the NAACP in civil rights advocacy.
The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) plays a vital role in civil rights advocacy by fighting against racial discrimination and promoting social justice through legal challenges, public education, and grassroots activism.
37
Describe the aims of the NAACP.
The organization aims to ensure political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights for all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.
38
Explain the significance of the NAACP regarding the March on Washington in 1963.
The NAACP helped to plan the March on Washington in 1963 was significant as it was a pivotal event in the civil rights movement; advocates also lobbied Congress to pass key legislation such as the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.
39
Define the role of Thurgood Marshall in the civil rights movement.
Thurgood Marshall served as the special counsel for the NAACP and won a series of landmark cases, including the historic Brown v. Board of Education, which challenged racial segregation in public schools.
40
How did the NAACP contribute to the passage of civil rights legislation?
The NAACP contributed by lobbying Congress to pass significant legislation, including the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1964, and 1968, as well as the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
41
What legal strategies does the NAACP Legal Defense Fund pursue?
The NAACP Legal Defense Fund develops and pursues legal strategies to challenge discrimination and has become a separate entity focused on these efforts.
42
Explain the purpose of the #WeAreDoneDying movement launched in May 2020.
The #WeAreDoneDying movement was launched by the NAACP to address and protest against racial injustice and violence, particularly in the context of police brutality.
43
Describe the impact of the national voter mobilization program during the 2020 presidential election.
The national voter mobilization programme ran by the NAACP contributed to record levels of black voter turnout and played a role in the election of Kamala Harris as the first black Vice President.
44
What was the focus of the lawsuit filed by the NAACP regarding Confederate school names?
The lawsuit aimed to challenge the use of Confederate names in schools, with a trial scheduled for the summer of 2025.
45
Discuss the role of social movements in recent years as mentioned in the content.
Social movements such as Black Lives Matter, the Women’s March, #MeToo, and the anti-lockdown movement have played increasingly important roles in advocating for civil rights and liberties.
46
How did the anti-lockdown movement relate to civil liberties during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The anti-lockdown movement was a campaign for civil liberties, where protesters argued that state governors' stay-at-home orders violated their constitutional civil liberties.
47
What was the estimated number of people associated with the anti-lockdown movement by May 2020?
By May 2020, it was estimated that around 2 million people were associated with the anti-lockdown movement.
48
Describe the actions taken by armed protesters during the anti-lockdown demonstrations.
Armed protesters breached lockdown rules to attend crowded demonstrations in state capitals, some carrying guns, and notably entered the Capitol in Michigan; in October 2020 the FBI arrested members of militia who were planning to kidnap Michigan Governor, Gretchen Whitmer.
49
What historical event led to the abolition of slavery in the United States?
The abolition of slavery in the United States was achieved through the Thirteenth Amendment, which was passed after the northern abolitionist states triumphed in the Civil War in 1865.
50
Explain the significance of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.
The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments expanded the rights of former enslaved people, granting them citizenship and the right to vote, respectively.
51
What was the response of southern states to the abolition of slavery?
Southern states responded to the abolition of slavery by passing Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation, upheld by the Supreme Court ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson.
52
Describe the treatment of Native Americans by European settlers.
The treatment of indigenous Native Americans by European settlers is widely described as a genocide, involving slaughter and forced removal from their lands.
53
Explain the impact of US government policies on Native American culture.
The US government systematically attacked Native American culture and communities, imposing policies of forced assimilation.
54
How did the Native American population change from 1492 to the end of the nineteenth century?
The Native American population dropped from an estimated 5 to 15 million in 1492 to about 238,000 by the end of the nineteenth century.
55
Define the significance of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968.
The Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 extended protections of the Bill of Rights to Native Americans in tribal governments, but it was resented for giving federal courts authority over tribal governments if rights were infringed.
56
What was the status of Native American citizenship in 1924?
In 1924, all Native Americans became citizens of the United States, although some had obtained citizenship earlier.
57
Describe the current situation of Native Americans in the USA.
Today, there are more than 5 million Native Americans in the USA, with around 1 million living on reservations, which occupy an area the size of Idaho.
58
How are reservations managed by Native American tribes?
Each reservation is managed by a different tribe, which has its own laws and government.
59
What are some major challenges faced by Native American communities today?
Major challenges include high unemployment, limited educational opportunities, and a poverty rate that is more than twice the national average.
60
Explain the civil rights movement's origins and leadership.
The civil rights movement began in the late 1940s, led by pressure groups, campaigners, and religious organizations.
61
What landmark Supreme Court victory was achieved during the civil rights movement?
A landmark Supreme Court victory was Brown v. Board of Education, which addressed racial segregation in schools.
62
Describe the significance of Emmett Till's murder in 1955.
The murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till by white men, who were acquitted by an all-white jury, highlighted the dangers faced by ordinary black Americans and the failings of the criminal justice system.
63
What methods did some civil rights campaigners use to protest?
Some campaigners used direct action methods such as sit-ins and bus boycotts to publicly expose police brutality and violence against them.
64
How did Martin Luther King Jr. contribute to the civil rights movement?
Martin Luther King Jr. led a non-violent campaign of civil disobedience, inspired by Gandhi, which helped change public attitudes towards race and built support for the movement; assassination in 1968 was another example of violence against African Americans.
65
What was the impact of MLK's 'I Have a Dream' speech?
MLK's 'I Have a Dream' speech in 1963 was a pivotal moment that helped to galvanize public support for the civil rights movement.
66
What legislative achievements were made during the civil rights movement?
The civil rights movement led to the passage of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1964, and 1968, as well as the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
67
Define the significance of the Twenty-Fourth Amendment.
The Twenty-Fourth Amendment, ratified with the necessary three-quarters of US states, protected African Americans from discrimination in voting.
68
Describe the purpose of affirmative action in the context of racial inequalities.
Affirmative action aims to reverse deep inequalities faced by African Americans and other ethnic minorities by promoting positive discrimination in employment and education.
69
Explain the significance of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited employment discrimination by large employers, regardless of whether they had government contracts, marking a significant step towards equality.
70
How did the Supreme Court ruling in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978) impact affirmative action policies?
The Supreme Court upheld the use of race as one factor in admissions decisions but ruled that racial quotas were unconstitutional.
71
Define the term 'positive discrimination' as it relates to affirmative action.
Positive discrimination refers to policies that favor individuals belonging to groups known to have been discriminated against, aiming to promote equality and diversity.
72
Do most Democrats support affirmative action?
Yes, most Democrats, including figures like Obama and Biden, support affirmative action as a means to address historical inequalities.
73
Explain the arguments for affirmative action regarding diversity in education.
Proponents argue that affirmative action promotes diversity, which enhances educational benefits, as highlighted by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in her dissenting opinion in Fisher v. Texas.
74
What was the outcome of the Supreme Court case Gratz v. Bollinger (2003)?
The Supreme Court struck down a points-based admissions system that awarded automatic bonuses to minority applicants, ruling it unconstitutional.
75
How did the Supreme Court ruling in Grutter v. Bollinger (2003) relate to previous affirmative action cases?
The Supreme Court upheld the decision from Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, allowing race to be a consideration in admissions but maintaining that racial quotas were unconstitutional.
76
Describe the impact of the 2023 Supreme Court ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard.
The ruling determined that race-based affirmative action programs in most college admissions violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, citing issues like lack of clear goals and racial stereotyping.
77
Explain how affirmative action is viewed by most Republicans.
Most Republicans, including figures like Bush Jr. and Trump, are highly critical of affirmative action, viewing it as unfair or unnecessary.
78
How does affirmative action aim to level the playing field for ethnic minorities?
Affirmative action seeks to ensure equality of outcome by addressing the economic and social disadvantages that many ethnic minorities face.
79
What role does affirmative action play in breaking down racial stereotypes?
Affirmative action provides opportunities for minorities to demonstrate their capabilities, challenging and breaking down existing racial stereotypes.
80
Describe the amendments made by LBJ to the executive order on affirmative action in 1967.
LBJ amended the executive order to include affirmative action for women, expanding the scope of the policy beyond race.
81
What was the significance of JFK's executive order regarding affirmative action in 1961?
JFK's executive order required government contractors to take affirmative action to ensure fair treatment of employees without regard to race, creed, or national origin.
82
Describe the argument of reverse discrimination in the context of affirmative action.
Reverse discrimination refers to the belief that affirmative action programs can lead to preferential treatment for wealthy minorities over less privileged white applicants.
83
Explain the impact of affirmative action on graduation rates among different racial groups.
A 2011 report indicated that within six years of enrolling for a degree, graduation rates were 62% for white students, 51% for Latinos, and 40% for African Americans.
84
Define the criticism that affirmative action prevents a truly color-blind society.
Critics, including SC justice Clarence Thomas, argue that affirmative action is condescending and undermines the goal of a society that does not consider race.
85
How did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 affect African American voter turnout?
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 removed voting restrictions, leading to a dramatic increase in African American turnout, particularly in states like Mississippi, where turnout rose from 7% in 1964 to 67% in 1969.
86
Explain the significance of African Americans as a voting bloc after the Voting Rights Act.
Following the Voting Rights Act, African Americans became a crucial voting group, influencing politicians to tailor their policies to gain their support and leading to the election of African Americans to office.
87
What was the ruling of Shelby County v Holder (2013) regarding voting restrictions?
The Supreme Court ruled that states could impose voting restrictions, arguing that the political landscape had changed since the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
88
Describe the impact of voter identification laws on African American and Hispanic voter turnout.
Since 2010, more than 25 states have introduced strict voter identification laws, which disproportionately affect Hispanics and African Americans, leading to a decrease in their voter turnout while white turnout remains largely unaffected.
89
How did the 2016 election reflect changes in black voter turnout?
In 2016, black voter turnout fell by 7%, reversing a trend of increasing turnout since 1996, which contributed to Hillary Clinton's defeat.
90
What efforts were made to mobilize black voters in the 2020 election?
In 2020, organizations like the NAACP, African American churches, and Democrats worked to mobilize black voters, resulting in record turnout that was crucial to Biden's victory.
91
Discuss the racial disparity in incarceration rates in the United States.
As of the data provided, 38.7% of the incarcerated population is black, compared to 13.7% of the general population, while 56.8% of the incarcerated population is white, compared to 75.3% of the general population.
92
What is one possible explanation for the higher incarceration rates among African Americans?
One possible explanation for the higher incarceration rates among African Americans could be a higher rate of crime committed by this demographic, as suggested by research.
93
Describe the socio-economic factors affecting African Americans in relation to drug incarceration rates.
African Americans are more likely to be socio-economically disadvantaged, which contributes to their higher incarceration rates for drug charges, despite similar drug usage rates compared to white Americans.
94
Explain the significance of felony disenfranchisement in the context of African American voting rights.
Felony disenfranchisement affects 2.3% of the American voting age population, with one-third being Black. In 23 states, felons lose voting rights only while incarcerated, while 10 states require additional action for reinstatement after release.
95
How did the Black Lives Matter movement begin and what event triggered its formation?
The Black Lives Matter movement began in 2013 after George Zimmerman was acquitted for the shooting of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin, leading to widespread social media attention and public discourse on racial bias.
96
Do police shootings of unarmed African Americans have an impact on public protests?
Yes, subsequent police shootings of unarmed African Americans have led to significant street protests, some of which turned violent, highlighting the ongoing issues of racial violence and injustice.
97
Explain the impact of the protests following George Floyd's death.
The protests following George Floyd's death became one of the largest protest movements in US history, leading to significant political and social changes, including the conviction of Derek Chauvin and discussions on police reform.
98
Define the term 'felony disenfranchisement' and its implications for African Americans.
Felony disenfranchisement refers to laws that restrict voting rights for individuals with felony convictions, disproportionately affecting African Americans and limiting their political participation.
99
How did authorities respond to the protests sparked by the Black Lives Matter movement?
Authorities responded with curfews, tear gas, smoke grenades, and rubber bullets, and there were threats to deploy military forces, which faced widespread condemnation.
100
Describe the broader international impact of the Black Lives Matter protests.
The protests against racial injustice in the US spread to other Western democracies, including the UK, France, Germany, Canada, and Australia, indicating a global resonance with the movement.
101
Explain the significance of the statistics regarding police killings of Black Americans compared to white Americans.
Black Americans are two and a half times more likely to be killed by police than white Americans, highlighting systemic issues of racial bias and violence in law enforcement.
102
What was the public reaction to the fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery?
The fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed African American jogger, sparked national outcry in 2020, emphasizing the urgent need to address racial violence and injustice.
103
Describe the impact of far-right extremists on terrorist activity in the US in 2020.
Far-right extremists and white supremacists were responsible for two-thirds of terrorist activity in the US in 2020, indicating a significant increase in domestic terrorism.
104
Explain the trend in the number of white nationalist groups in the USA in 2018.
The number of white nationalist groups in the USA increased by 50% in 2018, reaching a total of 148 groups according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
105
Do far-right extremists pose a threat to specific communities?
Yes, far-right extremists pose a grave threat to various minority groups, including African Americans, Hispanics, Jews, and Asian Americans.
106
How did the NAACP respond to the threat of domestic terrorism against African Americans?
In 2018, the NAACP wrote to the House Committee on Homeland Security to highlight the dangers posed to African Americans by domestic terrorism and held an emergency tele-town hall on the issue in 2019.
107
Explain the significance of the 2015 shooting massacre in Charleston, South Carolina.
In 2015, nine African Americans were killed in a shooting massacre at their church in Charleston, South Carolina, highlighting the violent threat posed by far-right extremism.
108
What was the reaction to Trump's comments following the 'Unite the Right' rally in Charlottesville?
Trump's failure to clearly condemn far-right groups after a liberal protester was killed at the rally, along with his statement that 'there’s blame on both sides,' was widely criticized.
109
Describe the events surrounding the 2019 shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas.
In 2019, a shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, resulted in the murder of 23 people, with Hispanics being the main target of the attack.
110
How did hate crimes against Asian Americans change in 2020?
Hate crimes against Asian Americans rose by 150% in large cities in the USA in 2020, with many attributing this increase to racial scapegoating related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
111
What symbols were displayed by armed militia members during protests in Michigan?
During protests in Michigan in April 2020, armed militia members displayed swastikas and Confederate flags, indicating the rise of far-right extremism.
112
Define the relationship between far-right extremism and democracy.
The rise of far-right extremism poses a threat to democracy itself, as evidenced by attempts to take over the US Capitol in January 2021.
113
How did far-right groups respond to Black Lives Matter protests?
Far-right groups and individuals targeted numerous Black Lives Matter protests, using weapons to attack demonstrators or driving vehicles into crowds.
114
What was the outcome of the synagogue shootings in 2018 and 2019?
In 2018 and 2019, Jews were targeted in two synagogue shootings that resulted in a total of 12 fatalities.
115
How much more likely are African Americans to be incarcerated for drug charges compared to white Americans, despite similar usage rates?
Six times more likely.
116
What percentage of summonses for social distancing violations in NYC were issued to African Americans during Covid?
More than 80%.
