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Chapter 9 Vocab

Terms in this set (39)

affirmative action
a policy designed to redress past discrimination against women and minority groups through measures to improve their economic and educational opportunities
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
a 1954 case in which the Supreme Court ruled that "separate but equal" education for black and white students was unconstitutional and overruled Plessy
Civil Rights Act (1875)
made it illegal for privately owned places of public accommodations - trains, hotels, taverns - to make distinctions between black and white patrons. It also outlawed discrimination in jury selection, public schools, churches, cemeteries, and transportation
Civil Rights Act (1957)
passed the senate on a vote of 72-18. established the Civil Rights Section of the Justice Department and empowered federal prosecutors to obtain court injunctions against interference with the right to vote
Civil Rights Act (1964)
legislation passed by Congress prohibiting segregation of public facilities, as well as discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, or national origin; the Civil Rights Act also created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to enforce these provisions; Required equal application of voter registration rules
Civil Rights Cases (1883)
A body of laws created by the states that segregated the races in the public sphere. Named after a disrespectful character in a minstrel show in which whites performed in "blackface" these laws separated blacks and whites on trains, in theaters, in public restrooms, and in public schools.
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
passed Congress in 1996; defined marriage as between only a man and women; however many states and companies extended benefits to same sex partners and many states legalized same sex marriages
"don't ask, don't tell"
The rule prevented the military from asking about the private sexual status of its personnel but also prevented gays and lesbians from acknowledging or revealing it. It was meant to cause both sides to ignore the issue and focus on defending the country
Equal Pay Act (1963)
Legislation that requires employers to pay men and women equal pay for equal work
Equal Protection Clause
14th amendment clause that prohibits states from denying equal protection under the law, and has been used to combat discrimination
Equal Rights Amendment
a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution outlawing discrimination based on sex
15th Amendment
prohibited states from denying the vote to anyone "on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude"
14th Amendment
Declares that all persons born in the U.S. are citizens and are guaranteed equal protection of the laws
freedom-of-choice plans
measures created by school officials that placed the transfer burden on black students seeking a move to more modern white schools
grandfather clause
Allowed states to recognize a registering voter as it would have recognized his grandfather, preventing thousands of blacks from voting while it allowed illiterate poor whites to be exempt from the literacy test and the poll tax
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