Civil Liberties
The rights and freedoms of citizens that are protected in the Constitution (specifically, the Bill of Rights).
What are 'civil liberties'?
Equal treatment of ALL citizens under the law, regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
What are 'civil rights'?
The concept that, under the 14th Amendment, all citizens must be treated equally under the law.
What is 'the Equal Protection Clause'?
The amendment that lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.
What is the 26th Amendment?
The civil liberties laid out in the Bill of Rights are incorporated to the state governments under this amendment.
What is the 14th Amendment?
The 13th Amendment (banning slavery), the 14th Amendment (incorporation, Equal Protection Clause), and the 15th Amendment (giving African-American men the right to vote).
What are 'the Reconstruction Amendments'?
The Supreme Court case that gave us the 'Miranda warning' ("You have the right to remain silent...").
What is Miranda v. Arizona (1966)?
The amendment that eliminated the poll tax.
What is the 24th Amendment?
The amendment that protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures.
What is the 4th Amendment?
The seminal Supreme Court case that ruled that segregation in public schools is unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.
What is Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?
The concept that, under the 5th Amendment, you cannot face a criminal penalty (execution, incarceration, fine) without a fair trial.
What is 'due process'?
The amendment that changed how Senators were elected, from being chosen by the state governments to being elected directly by the people.
What is the 17th Amendment?
The amendment that guarantees citizens' right to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion.
What is the 1st Amendment?
The law that banned discrimination in voting to combat efforts to keep African-American citizens from voting.
What is the Voting Rights Act (1965)?
The concept that, under the 5th amendment, you have the right to remain silent during a police interrogation and the right to not testify at a trial in which you are a criminal defendant.
What is 'protection against self-incrimination'?
The amendment that gave women the right to vote.
What is the 19th Amendment?
The name of the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution that are meant to protect peoples' basic civil liberties.
What is the 'Bill of Rights'?
The law that banned segregation in public places (such as restaurants, libraries, public pools, etc.) and banned discrimination in the job hiring process.
What is the Civil Rights Act (1964)?
The concept that, under the 14th Amendment, state governments have to respect the civil liberties laid out in the Bill of Rights, not just the federal government.
What is 'incorporation'?
The amendment that gave African-American men the right to vote.
What is the 15th Amendment?