Race and Civil Rights: Slavery Opposition

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Questions and Answers

What was the main purpose of the Missouri Compromise of 1820?

To establish a political balance between slave and free states (correct)

To abolish slavery in all new territories

To assign representation based solely on population

To grant immediate freedom to all enslaved people

What was the outcome of the Dred Scott v. Sandford case in 1857?

The court declared popular sovereignty beneficial for enslaved people

The court upheld the Missouri Compromise as constitutional

The court granted Dred Scott his freedom

The court ruled that enslaved people could not sue for their freedom (correct)

How did the inclusion of enslaved people in representation specifically affect the southern states?

It had no effect on their representation

It reduced their power in Congress

It provided them additional representation in the House (correct)

It allowed them to elect a higher number of free state representatives

Which statement accurately reflects the Compromise of 1850?

Residents of new territories could decide on the status of slavery Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant effect of the Dred Scott ruling on the status of slavery in new territories?

It declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of affirmative action in the workplace?

To increase representation of historically discriminated groups Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about school busing is accurate?

School busing was designed to integrate public schools by mixing students across neighborhoods. Signup and view all the answers

What significant change did the Nineteenth Amendment bring about in 1920?

It ensured women could vote in federal and state elections. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of 'built-in headwinds' in hiring practices according to the Supreme Court?

They can unintentionally create discriminatory outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

Which movement has contributed to a renewed focus on Black civil rights in recent years?

The Black Lives Matter movement Signup and view all the answers

What significant impact did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 have on gender rights?

It introduced the concept of gender discrimination to federal law. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key argument used by Phyllis Schlafly against the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)?

It would eliminate the traditional family structure. Signup and view all the answers

What legal strategy did women employ to fight discrimination?

They targeted state courts to challenge discriminatory laws. Signup and view all the answers

What change occurred in the legal scrutiny of gender discrimination after 1976?

Gender was elevated to a category of heightened scrutiny. Signup and view all the answers

How did the #MeToo movement contribute to women's rights?

It prompted legal reforms on sexual harassment. Signup and view all the answers

What significant concept did the Gettysburg Address introduce regarding freedom?

A new birth of freedom Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Thirteenth Amendment?

To abolish slavery Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment specifically addresses voting rights for citizens?

Fifteenth Amendment Signup and view all the answers

What major failure occurred during the Reconstruction era?

Establishment of white supremacy laws Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the Civil Rights Cases of 1883 have on racial equality?

Struck down the Civil Rights Act of 1875 Signup and view all the answers

Which tactic was used by state governments in the 1890s to circumvent the Fifteenth Amendment?

Implementing literacy tests Signup and view all the answers

What was Jim Crow primarily characterized by?

Racial segregation and discriminatory laws Signup and view all the answers

The phrase 'no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty or property without due process' is found in which amendment?

Fourteenth Amendment Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Dawes Act of 1887?

To divide Native American lands into individual parcels. Signup and view all the answers

What effect did the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 have on Native Americans?

It placed reservations subject to federal but not state governments. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant consequence of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882?

It barred Chinese immigrants from entering the United States. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'model minority' stereotype associated with Asian Americans?

Asian Americans are often viewed as overly successful and compliant. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'domestic dependent nations' refer to in relation to Native American tribes?

Native tribes that have special legal protections but lack independent status. Signup and view all the answers

What legislation implemented in 1990 aimed to protect individuals with disabilities?

Americans with Disabilities Act. Signup and view all the answers

The Supreme Court's 2015 ruling regarding same-sex marriage established it as what?

A national civil right. Signup and view all the answers

What significant challenge do Native Americans face concerning poverty rates?

Poverty rates are nearly double the national average. Signup and view all the answers

Which event is attributed to initiating the modern movement for LGBTQ+ rights?

Stonewall Riots. Signup and view all the answers

The term 'New Jim Crow' refers to what issue faced by Black Americans?

Mass incarceration with effects similar to legal segregation. Signup and view all the answers

What recent trend has been observed regarding hate crimes against Asian Americans?

A spike in cases of hate crimes. Signup and view all the answers

Which law forbids discrimination against handicapped individuals in programs receiving federal support?

Rehabilitation Act. Signup and view all the answers

Which issue has become a flashpoint in discussions surrounding LGBTQ+ rights?

Bathroom bills. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Political Context of Slavery

Political tensions existed between slave states and free states, affecting the balance in Congress.
Enslaved people were counted as three-fifths of a person for representation, granting the South an additional 36 House seats.
The Missouri Compromise (1820) established a boundary: slavery permitted south of the line, free north of it (except Missouri).
The Compromise of 1850 allowed residents of new territories to decide on the legality of slavery.

Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

Dred Scott, an enslaved man, sued for his freedom; the Supreme Court ruled against him.
Court declared neither territories nor the federal government could limit slavery or recognize Black rights.
Ruled the Missouri Compromise and popular sovereignty unconstitutional, denying Black citizenship and territory restrictions on slavery.

Reconstruction and Civil Rights Amendments

The "second American founding" was marked by Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, proclaiming "a new birth of freedom."
Key documents include the Emancipation Proclamation (freed slaves in rebelling areas), Thirteenth Amendment (abolished slavery), Fourteenth Amendment (established citizenship and due process rights), and Fifteenth Amendment (guaranteed voting rights for Black men).
Reconstruction efforts, including the Freedmen's Bureau and Civil Rights Acts of 1866 and 1875, ultimately failed, leading to the withdrawal of federal support and rising discrimination.

Post-Reconstruction: Jim Crow and Discrimination

The Civil Rights Cases of 1883 led to the Supreme Court striking down the Civil Rights Act of 1875.
States enacted laws like poll taxes and literacy tests to undermine the Fifteenth Amendment.
Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation from 1890 to 1965, often through violence.
The Plessy v. Ferguson ruling (1896) upheld racial segregation under "separate but equal.”

Affirmative Action and Racial Integration

Affirmative action aims to increase representation of historically discriminated groups in workplaces, focusing on equality of opportunity.
School busing was a strategy to promote racial integration in public schools but declined post-1980s.
The Black Lives Matter movement has revived discussions on civil rights for Black Americans.

Women's Rights Movement

The Seneca Falls Convention (1848) marked the first organized women's rights movement.
The Nineteenth Amendment (1920) granted women the right to vote.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 unexpectedly included gender discrimination, spurring the National Organization for Women (NOW) to advocate for women's rights.
Title IX (1972) mandated equal opportunities in athletics for men and women.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and Legal Protections

The ERA was introduced annually from 1924 to 1972, but opposition arose from figures like Phyllis Schlafly.
The Supreme Court gradually recognized gender discrimination, with rulings allowing for greater scrutiny of gender-based cases.
Recent court decisions have made it more challenging for women to sue for discrimination.

Native American Rights and Sovereignty

The Dawes Act (1887) aimed to assimilate Native Americans by privatizing land ownership.
Supreme Court (1831 ruling) designated Indian tribes as "domestic dependent nations" without full citizenship rights.
The Indian Citizenship Act (1924) granted limited citizenship, recognizing reservations under federal, but not state, jurisdiction.

Groups Without Traditional Court Protections

People with disabilities gained access rights through Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990).
The LGBTQ+ movement gained momentum after the 1969 Stonewall riots, leading to increased rights, including the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015.
Ongoing conflicts over rights include discrimination in various sectors and controversial legislation regarding bathrooms and sports.

Despite improving health outcomes, disparities persist, with the Black poverty rate significantly higher than that of whites.
Incarceration rates show systemic issues, with Black men disproportionately imprisoned, reflecting a modern parallel to segregation's impacts, termed the "New Jim Crow."

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Description

This quiz explores the moral and economic arguments against slavery, highlighting the political dynamics between slave and free states in Congress. It touches on significant historical events and the representation of enslaved individuals in governmental processes.