Voting rights Flashcards
Q: What were the foundational laws of Civil Rights?
A: The Civil Rights Act was a result of the Civil War and President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery and the Civil Rights Act of 1866 defined citizenship and protected rights.
Q: What is the 14th Amendment?
A: The 14th Amendment secured the civil rights granted in the Civil Rights Act of 1866. Its key features include the Citizenship Clause, Privileges and Immunities Clause, Due Process Clause, and Equal Protection Clause.
Q: What were the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts of 1964 and 1965?
A: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 included provisions against discrimination in public accommodations, desegregation of education, and equal employment opportunities. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 addressed black disenfranchisement in the South and empowered the Department of Justice to monitor elections.
Q: What was the Shelby v Holder Decision?
A: Shelby County, Alabama, filed a suit claiming that Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Shelby County, stating that the VRA departed from principles of equal sovereignty among states.
Q: What have been some recent developments regarding voting rights?
A: Voter ID laws and proof of citizenship requirements have been implemented. Proposed acts like the Voting Rights Advancement Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Act aim to reinstate federal preclearance.
