Chapter 5: Civil Rights And Public Policy

American society tends to emphasize equal opportunities because it believes in providing a level playing field for everyone. This means that individuals should have an equal chance to succeed and achieve their goals, regardless of their background or circumstances. By prioritizing equal opportunities, society aims to promote fairness and reduce inequalities. This approach recognizes that individuals have different abilities and aspirations, and it focuses on providing the necessary resources and support to help them reach their full potential.

The Nineteenth Amendment is the correct answer because it granted women the right to vote. It was passed in 1920 and states that the right to vote shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex. This amendment was a significant milestone in the women's suffrage movement and marked a major step towards gender equality in the United States.

The case of Brown v. Board of Education (1954) ended the era of legal segregation. This landmark Supreme Court decision declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). The ruling marked a significant turning point in the civil rights movement, as it laid the foundation for desegregation and equal educational opportunities for all races.

Hispanic Americans are the largest minority group in the United States because they make up a significant portion of the population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics accounted for about 18.5% of the total U.S. population in 2020. This makes them the largest minority group, surpassing African Americans who make up around 13.4% of the population. The Hispanic population in the United States has been steadily growing over the years, contributing to their status as the largest minority group.

The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery. This amendment was ratified in 1865 and it officially ended the institution of slavery in the United States. It stated that "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States." This amendment was a significant step towards ensuring equal rights and freedom for all individuals, regardless of their race or background.

The statement is true because the civil rights movement in the United States aimed to end racial segregation and discrimination, particularly against African Americans. The movement brought together people of different races, including African Americans and Whites, who worked together to challenge and dismantle the systems of segregation that were prevalent in various aspects of society, such as education, housing, and public facilities. Through protests, demonstrations, and legal challenges, the civil rights movement played a crucial role in advancing equal rights and opportunities for African Americans and promoting racial integration.

Suffrage refers to the legal right to vote. It is a fundamental aspect of democracy, allowing citizens to participate in the decision-making process by electing their representatives. The other options, such as free speech, equal opportunities, and suffer, are not directly related to suffrage. Free speech refers to the freedom of expression, equal opportunities relate to fairness and non-discrimination, and suffer means to experience pain or hardship. Therefore, the correct answer is "vote."

The term "civil rights" refers to the basic rights and freedoms that every individual is entitled to, regardless of their race, gender, or other characteristics. It encompasses the right to equality, freedom from discrimination, and the right to participate fully in society. In the context of the question, "civil rights" is the most appropriate answer as it aligns with the idea of demanding more equality, which is a central goal of groups advocating for civil rights.

The statement suggests that the issue of equality for women was not given importance in the nation's political agenda until the middle of the twentieth century. This implies that women's rights and gender equality were not actively pursued or addressed by political leaders until that time. Therefore, the answer "True" indicates that the statement is accurate in stating that equality for women did not appear on the nation's political agenda until the middle of the twentieth century.

The word "equality" does not appear in the original Constitution because the concept of equality as we understand it today was not explicitly addressed in the document. While the Constitution does outline certain rights and protections, such as equal protection under the law, it does not use the specific term "equality." However, the Constitution has been interpreted and amended over time to promote and protect the principle of equality.

The explanation for the answer "False" is that the implementation of the Fifteenth Amendment did not proceed swiftly and with the total support of the states. The Fifteenth Amendment, ratified in 1870, granted African American men the right to vote. However, many states in the South implemented various tactics, such as poll taxes and literacy tests, to prevent African Americans from exercising their voting rights. Additionally, violence and intimidation were used to suppress African American voters. Therefore, the implementation of the Fifteenth Amendment was met with significant resistance and did not receive the total support of the states.

The correct answer is gays and lesbians. This group faces a tough battle for equality due to widespread discrimination and prejudice against them. They often face legal, social, and cultural barriers that limit their rights and opportunities. Despite progress in recent years, they still struggle for acceptance and equal treatment in many areas, including employment, housing, and marriage. Their fight for equality involves challenging societal norms, advocating for legal protections, and promoting education and awareness to combat discrimination and promote inclusivity.

Quiet acceptance was NOT a key strategy of the civil rights movement. The civil rights movement was characterized by active resistance and protest against racial segregation and discrimination. Sit-ins, marches, and civil disobedience were all important tactics used by activists to bring attention to their cause and challenge the status quo. Quiet acceptance implies passivity and compliance, which contradicts the goal of the civil rights movement to fight for equal rights and social justice.

The statement is true because the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was indeed first introduced in Congress as an Amendment in 1923. The ERA is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that would guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. It aimed to eliminate gender-based discrimination and ensure equal protection under the law. Although it was initially introduced in 1923, the ERA has not been ratified and added to the Constitution as of yet.

The correct answer is the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This landmark legislation was passed by the US Congress and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. It outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public places, including hotels, restaurants, and theaters. The act also prohibited discrimination in employment and created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to enforce its provisions. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a crucial step in the fight against racial discrimination and segregation in the United States.

The statement is true because historically, members of the armed services who declared their homosexuality were subject to discharge. Until the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in 2011, individuals were required to hide their sexual orientation or face expulsion from the military. The burden of proof was on the individual to demonstrate that they would remain celibate, which created a discriminatory environment for LGBTQ+ service members.

In the case of Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), the Supreme Court upheld a Louisiana law providing for segregated facilities. This decision established the "separate but equal" doctrine, which allowed for racial segregation as long as the facilities provided to different races were deemed equal. This ruling had a significant impact on civil rights in the United States and further entrenched racial segregation for several decades. It was not until the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 that the "separate but equal" doctrine was overturned, leading to the desegregation of public schools.

The Southern states used various tactics to prevent African Americans from voting. One of these tactics was the literacy test, which required potential voters to prove their ability to read and write. Another tactic was the poll tax, which required voters to pay a fee in order to cast their vote. Additionally, the Southern states implemented the White primary, which restricted voting in primary elections to only white citizens. Therefore, the correct answer is "all of the above" because all three methods were used to deny African Americans their right to vote.

The fifteenth Amendment extended suffrage to African Americans. This amendment, ratified in 1870, prohibited the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. It aimed to grant African American men the right to vote, ensuring equal political participation and representation. This amendment was a crucial step towards achieving civil rights and equality for African Americans during the Reconstruction era in the United States.

During World War II, the United States government forcibly interned Americans of Japanese descent in internment camps. In the case of Korematsu v. United States, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of this internment. The court ruled that the need to protect against espionage and sabotage outweighed the individual rights of Japanese Americans. This decision has since been widely criticized as a violation of civil liberties and racial discrimination.

Opposition to affirmative action is especially strong when people view it as reverse discrimination. This means that individuals believe that affirmative action policies, which aim to address historical disadvantages faced by certain groups, unfairly discriminate against individuals who do not belong to those groups. This perception arises from the belief that opportunities and benefits are being taken away from individuals who are perceived to be more deserving based on their race or gender. This opposition is particularly strong when people feel that affirmative action policies are not promoting equality, but instead perpetuating discrimination in a different form.

The correct answer is Regents of the University of California c. Bakke. In this case, the Supreme Court held that an admissions quota for particular groups was illegal. The case involved Allan Bakke, a white applicant who was denied admission to the University of California, Davis Medical School. The school had reserved 16 out of 100 seats for minority students as part of an affirmative action program. The Court ruled that while race could be considered as a factor in admissions, strict quotas based solely on race were unconstitutional. This decision set an important precedent for affirmative action policies in higher education.

In the case of Dread Scott v. Sandford (1857), the Supreme Court ruled that enslaved individuals were not considered citizens and therefore did not have the right to sue in federal court. The Court also declared that Congress did not have the power to prohibit slavery in the territories, which further protected the institution of slavery. This decision defended the idea of slavery and upheld the rights of slaveholders, ultimately contributing to the tensions between the North and South leading up to the Civil War.

The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution is the correct answer because it was the first time that the idea of equality was explicitly mentioned in the Constitution. The amendment, ratified in 1868, granted equal protection under the law to all citizens, regardless of race, and also addressed issues of due process and citizenship. This amendment was a significant step towards ensuring equal rights for all individuals in the United States.

The Twenty-fourth Amendment declared poll taxes void. Poll taxes were a form of taxation that was imposed on individuals in order to vote, which disproportionately affected low-income and minority voters. The amendment was ratified in 1964 and prohibited the use of poll taxes in federal elections, ensuring that all citizens had the right to vote regardless of their ability to pay. This amendment played a significant role in promoting equal voting rights and removing barriers to voting for marginalized communities.

The given statement is true as there are indeed statutes and regulations that prohibit women from serving in combat roles in certain countries. These laws are based on traditional gender roles and the belief that women may not possess the physical strength or emotional resilience required for combat. However, it is important to note that attitudes and policies regarding women in combat have evolved over time, and many countries have lifted these restrictions to allow women to serve in combat roles.

The Supreme Court ruling in Reed v. Reed (1971) established that any arbitrary sex-based classification under state law violated the equal protection clause. This means that any law or policy that treats individuals differently based on their sex, without a rational basis, is unconstitutional. This landmark decision paved the way for future cases challenging gender discrimination and played a significant role in advancing gender equality in the United States.

The correct answer is discrimination based on income. This means that debates about equality in America do not typically focus on discrimination based on a person's income level. Instead, discussions often revolve around racial discrimination, gender discrimination, and discrimination based on factors such as age and disability.

The correct answer is "all of the above." The Supreme Court has voided laws that provide for alimony payment to women only, close nursing schools to men, and set a higher age for drinking for men than for women. This means that the court has ruled these laws as unconstitutional, as they violate the principle of equal protection under the law. The court believes that such laws discriminate against individuals based on their gender, which is a violation of their constitutional rights.

The statement suggests that a majority of American mothers who have children below school age are working. This implies that they are actively participating in the labor force while also taking care of their young children.

During the 1980s, most forms of racial discrimination had already been addressed and prohibited by legislation. This suggests that there were very few, if any, remaining forms of racial discrimination that needed to be addressed through legislation. Therefore, the statement "By the 1980s, few, if any, forms of racial discrimination were left to legislate against" is true.

Civil rights are policies that are designed to protect people against arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by government officials or individuals. These policies ensure that individuals are granted equal rights and opportunities, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or other characteristics. Civil rights aim to promote fairness, justice, and equality in society, and they play a crucial role in safeguarding individual liberties and preventing discrimination.

The correct answer is Brown v. Board of Education. In this landmark case, the Supreme Court ruled that segregated schools were unconstitutional and violated the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. The decision marked a significant turning point in the civil rights movement and led to the desegregation of schools across the United States. School busing, or the transportation of students to achieve racial integration, became a common practice as a result of the Brown v. Board of Education decision.

During the first ten years after the Civil War, many African American men held both state and federal offices. This is true because during the Reconstruction era, which followed the Civil War, African Americans gained political power and representation. The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution were ratified during this time, granting African Americans citizenship, equal protection under the law, and the right to vote. As a result, many African American men were elected to political positions at both the state and federal levels, marking a significant period of progress and empowerment for the African American community.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting practices. It prohibited the use of literacy tests, poll taxes, and other discriminatory practices that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote. The Act also authorized federal officials to oversee voter registration and elections in areas with a history of discrimination. As a result, the registration of many southern black voters increased, more black officials were elected, and federal election registrars intervened to ensure fair elections. However, the Act did not specifically address the use of White primaries, which were a method used to exclude African Americans from participating in primary elections.

The phrase "equal protection of the laws" is included in the Constitution and refers to the principle that all individuals, regardless of their race, gender, or social status, are entitled to the same legal rights and protections. This principle ensures that everyone is treated fairly under the law and prevents discrimination or unequal treatment based on arbitrary factors. It is a fundamental aspect of ensuring equality and justice for all citizens.

The statement is false because the Supreme Court has actually made it easier to prove sexual harassment. Over the years, the Court has established various legal standards and precedents that provide guidance on what constitutes sexual harassment and how it can be proven. These standards have helped victims in presenting their cases and have increased awareness and accountability for perpetrators. Therefore, the Supreme Court's decisions have had a positive impact on the ability to prove sexual harassment.

The assignment of children to schools near their homes in racially segregated neighborhoods is an example of de facto segregation. This term refers to segregation that occurs not by law, but rather as a result of social and economic factors. In this case, the segregation is not mandated by any official policy, but rather arises from the racial composition of the neighborhoods. It is important to note that de facto segregation can often be just as harmful and unjust as de jure segregation, which is segregation enforced by law.

Comparable worth is based on the principle that individuals who perform jobs requiring comparable skill should be paid comparable wages. This means that regardless of factors such as race, gender, or job title, individuals who possess similar levels of skill and perform similar job responsibilities should receive similar compensation. This concept aims to address pay inequities and promote fairness in the workplace by ensuring that individuals are compensated based on the value of their skills and contributions rather than arbitrary factors.

The given statement that Native Americans are not protected by policy protections against discrimination is false. Native Americans are indeed protected by various policy protections against discrimination, including the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968, which provides many of the same protections as the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights. Additionally, the federal government has implemented laws such as the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to empower Native American tribes and promote self-governance.

After women received the right to vote, public policy toward women was dominated by the idea of protectionism. This means that the government focused on protecting women's rights and ensuring their well-being. It involved implementing laws and policies that aimed to safeguard women from discrimination, exploitation, and inequality. This approach aimed to provide women with equal opportunities and address the challenges they faced in various aspects of life, including education, employment, and healthcare. By prioritizing protectionism, the government aimed to create a more equitable and inclusive society for women.

The explanation for the given answer is that the Supreme Court has actually ruled that classifications based on gender are subject to an intermediate level of scrutiny, not a lower level of scrutiny. This means that gender classifications must serve an important government interest and must be substantially related to achieving that interest. On the other hand, classifications based on race are subject to the highest level of scrutiny, known as strict scrutiny, which requires that the classification be necessary to achieve a compelling government interest. Therefore, the statement that classifications based on gender are subject to a lower level of scrutiny than classifications based on race is false.

The statement is false because school busing was actually used as a tool for desegregation after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The act aimed to end racial segregation in public schools, and one of the methods used to achieve this was busing students from different neighborhoods to schools in order to promote integration. This practice was implemented in various cities across the United States in the following years, with the goal of creating more racially diverse schools.

During the Reagan Administration, the head of the US Civil Rights Commission criticized the concept of "comparable worth" as "the craziest idea since Looney Tunes." Comparable worth refers to the idea that jobs traditionally held by women should be paid the same as jobs traditionally held by men if they require similar levels of skill, effort, and responsibility. The head of the US Civil Rights Commission disagreed with this concept, considering it to be an unreasonable and impractical idea.

Affirmative action does not prioritize equal opportunities over equal results. Instead, it aims to address historical disadvantages and discrimination by providing preferential treatment to individuals from marginalized groups. The goal is to achieve equal outcomes by actively promoting diversity and inclusion in areas such as education and employment. Therefore, the statement is false.

The statement "Current civil rights policies conform to the eighteenth-century idea of limited government" is false because civil rights policies have evolved and expanded over time to address the changing needs and demands of society. The idea of limited government in the eighteenth century did not include the extensive protections and rights that are now recognized as essential for promoting equality and protecting individual liberties.

Winning the right to vote did give the women's movement momentum, but it did not necessarily guarantee equality. While suffrage was a significant milestone in the fight for women's rights, it was just one aspect of the larger struggle for gender equality. Achieving the right to vote was an important step, but it did not automatically grant women equal opportunities or eradicate discrimination. The fight for equality continued beyond suffrage, addressing issues such as reproductive rights, workplace equality, and societal attitudes towards women. Therefore, the statement is false.

The statement suggests that age discrimination has received very little attention from the US Congress, but the correct answer is false. This implies that age discrimination has actually received significant attention from the US Congress.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 required employers and public facilities to make reasonable accommodations. This means that employers and public facilities are legally obligated to provide necessary modifications or adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to employment opportunities and public services. This provision aims to prevent discrimination and promote inclusivity for disabled individuals in various aspects of their lives.

The Civil Rights and Women's Equity in Employment Act of 1991 shifted the burden of proof in justifying hiring and promotion practices to employers. This means that employers are now required to provide evidence that their hiring and promotion practices are not discriminatory based on sex. This shift in burden of proof puts the responsibility on employers to prove that they are not engaging in discriminatory practices, rather than the burden being on the individual who may have experienced discrimination.