🎟️Intro to American Government Unit 5 – Civil Rights

Key Events and Milestones

• Emancipation Proclamation (1863) declared all slaves in Confederate states free during the Civil War
• 13th Amendment (1865) abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States
  • Exceptions made for punishment of a crime
• 14th Amendment (1868) granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to all persons born in the U.S.
  • Birthright citizenship included former slaves
• 15th Amendment (1870) prohibited denial of voting rights based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude
• Executive Order 9981 (1948) issued by President Truman desegregated the U.S. armed forces
• Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Supreme Court decision declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional
• Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin
  • Prohibited segregation in public accommodations and employment
• Voting Rights Act of 1965 banned discriminatory voting practices and ensured voting rights for African Americans

Constitutional Foundations

• Declaration of Independence (1776) asserted that "all men are created equal" and have unalienable rights
  • Laid the groundwork for the idea of equality under the law
• U.S. Constitution (1787) established a framework for a federal government and the rule of law
  • Initially allowed slavery and counted slaves as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes
• Bill of Rights (1791) guaranteed individual liberties and limited the power of the federal government
  • First Amendment protects freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, which have been crucial for civil rights movements
• 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause (1868) requires states to provide equal protection under the law to all persons
  • Has been used to challenge discriminatory laws and practices
• 15th Amendment (1870) and 19th Amendment (1920) expanded voting rights to African Americans and women, respectively
• Commerce Clause and Necessary and Proper Clause have been used to justify federal civil rights legislation

Major Civil Rights Movements

• Abolitionist Movement (1830s-1860s) sought to end slavery and promote racial equality
  • Key figures included Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison
• Women's Suffrage Movement (1848-1920) fought for women's right to vote
  • Culminated in the passage of the 19th Amendment
• Civil Rights Movement (1954-1968) aimed to end racial discrimination and segregation
  • Involved boycotts (Montgomery Bus Boycott), marches (March on Washington), and civil disobedience
• Chicano Movement (1960s-1970s) advocated for Mexican American civil rights and cultural identity
  • Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta led the United Farm Workers union
• American Indian Movement (1968-1978) fought for Native American rights and sovereignty
  • Occupied Alcatraz Island and staged the Wounded Knee incident
• LGBTQ+ Rights Movement (1969-present) seeks equal rights and protections for LGBTQ+ individuals
  • Stonewall Riots (1969) marked a turning point in the movement
• Disability Rights Movement (1970s-present) works to ensure equal rights and accessibility for people with disabilities
  • Passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) was a major milestone

Landmark Court Cases

• Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine
• Brown v. Board of Education (1954) overturned Plessy and declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional
  • Desegregation of schools faced resistance (Little Rock Nine)
• Loving v. Virginia (1967) struck down state laws banning interracial marriage
• Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978) upheld affirmative action in college admissions but ruled against racial quotas
• Roe v. Wade (1973) established a constitutional right to abortion based on the right to privacy
  • Overturned by Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022)
• Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) legalized same-sex marriage nationwide under the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause
• Shelby County v. Holder (2013) struck down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, leading to increased voter suppression efforts

Legislative Achievements

• Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin
  • Title VII banned employment discrimination
• Voting Rights Act of 1965 banned discriminatory voting practices and ensured voting rights for African Americans
  • Included provisions for federal oversight of elections in certain jurisdictions
• Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibited sex discrimination in federally funded education programs
  • Has been used to promote gender equity in sports
• Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, and transportation
  • Required reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities
• Family and Medical Leave Act (1993) provided job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons
• Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (2009) expanded the time frame for filing pay discrimination claims
• Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (2009) expanded federal hate crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim's sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability

Key Figures and Leaders

• Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement known for his nonviolent resistance and powerful oratory
  • Delivered the famous "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington
• Rosa Parks sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott by refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger
• Malcolm X was a influential Black Muslim leader who advocated for black empowerment and self-determination
• Thurgood Marshall was the first African American Supreme Court Justice and argued the Brown v. Board of Education case
• Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers union and led the Delano Grape Strike
• Gloria Steinem was a prominent feminist activist and co-founded Ms. magazine
• Harvey Milk was the first openly gay elected official in California and advocated for LGBTQ+ rights
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a Supreme Court Justice known for her advocacy of gender equality and women's rights

Ongoing Challenges and Debates

• Racial profiling and police brutality disproportionately affect communities of color
  • Black Lives Matter movement has brought attention to these issues
• Voter suppression efforts, such as strict voter ID laws and closing polling places, disproportionately impact minority voters
• Affirmative action in education and employment remains controversial
  • Some argue it is necessary to address historical inequalities, while others claim it is a form of reverse discrimination
• LGBTQ+ individuals still face discrimination and violence, particularly transgender individuals
  • Debates over transgender rights, such as bathroom access and participation in sports, continue
• Gender pay gap persists, with women earning less than men on average
  • Intersectionality of race and gender exacerbates the pay gap for women of color
• Accessibility for individuals with disabilities is still lacking in many areas
  • Enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act remains a challenge
• Immigration reform and the rights of undocumented immigrants are ongoing sources of political debate
  • DREAM Act and DACA have sought to provide a path to citizenship for certain undocumented immigrants

Impact on Modern Society

• Increased diversity and representation in politics, with more women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals holding elected office
  • Election of Barack Obama as the first African American president in 2008
• Affirmative action policies have led to increased diversity in higher education and the workforce
  • Debate continues over the fairness and effectiveness of these policies
• Desegregation of public spaces and institutions has led to greater social integration
  • Lingering de facto segregation in housing and education remains a challenge
• Expansion of voting rights has led to increased political participation among historically marginalized groups
  • Efforts to suppress voting rights continue to be a concern
• Growing recognition of intersectionality and the unique challenges faced by individuals with multiple marginalized identities
  • Kimberle Crenshaw coined the term to describe the intersection of race and gender discrimination
• Ongoing social movements (Black Lives Matter, #MeToo) continue to push for greater equality and justice
  • Role of social media in organizing and amplifying these movements
• Increased legal protections and recognition for LGBTQ+ individuals, including the right to marry and protection from employment discrimination
  • Challenges remain, particularly for transgender rights and acceptance
• Greater accessibility and accommodations for individuals with disabilities in public spaces, transportation, and employment
  • Continued advocacy needed to ensure full inclusion and equal opportunities