Social Movements and EQUAL Protection [AP Gov Review, Unit 3 Topic 10 (3.10)]

Summary

This video explores the history of civil rights movements in the United States, explaining the distinction between civil rights and civil liberties. The focus is on how constitutional provisions, particularly the 14th Amendment, supported these movements. Key movements discussed include the 1950s Civil Rights Movement led by Martin Luther King Jr., the women's rights movement, LGBTQ rights advocacy, and the Right to Life movement opposing abortion. These movements, inspired by the fight for Black equality, demonstrate how the equal protection clause motivated social change and continued efforts for equality across various groups.

Takeaways

• 😀 Civil rights are different from civil liberties. Civil rights focus on ensuring equal access to liberties for all Americans, regardless of factors like race or sex.
• 😀 The 14th Amendment's due process and equal protection clauses have been central to civil rights movements throughout American history.
• 😀 The civil rights movement for Black Americans, especially led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr., was pivotal in inspiring other civil rights movements in the U.S.
• 😀 Non-violent protest, as advocated by Martin Luther King Jr., was central to the civil rights movement and was aimed at confronting racial inequality.
• 😀 King’s 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' argued that civil rights protests were necessary to force the majority to confront their racism and instigate change.
• 😀 Although Black Americans were constitutionally granted citizenship after the Civil War, Southern states bypassed equality using Black codes and Jim Crow laws.
• 😀 The women’s rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s was fueled by the National Organization for Women (NOW) and Betty Friedan's book 'The Feminine Mystique'.
• 😀 A major goal of the women’s rights movement was the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), although it ultimately fell short due to opposition.
• 😀 Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 was a significant victory for women's rights, ensuring equal opportunities in education.
• 😀 The LGBTQ rights movement gained momentum in the 1970s and 1980s, culminating in the repeal of 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell' during the Obama administration, allowing LGBTQ individuals to serve openly in the military.

Q & A

What is the main distinction between civil liberties and civil rights?

Civil liberties are individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution, such as free speech or the right to a lawyer. Civil rights, on the other hand, ensure that every individual, regardless of sex, religion, or race, has equal access to those liberties.

How are civil rights movements connected to the 14th Amendment?

Civil rights movements often rely on the due process and equal protection clauses of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees equal rights under the law for all citizens, as their foundation for advocacy.

What role did Martin Luther King Jr. play in the Civil Rights Movement?

Martin Luther King Jr. was a central figure in the Civil Rights Movement, advocating for non-violent protest. He played a key role in major actions such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and used the Constitution, particularly the 14th Amendment, as the basis for civil rights for African Americans.

What was the significance of the 'Letter from a Birmingham Jail'?

In this letter, Martin Luther King Jr. responded to white clergy members who suggested that black protesters should wait for change. King argued that action was needed immediately and that non-violent protest was essential to force society to confront racism.

What were the goals of the National Organization for Women (NOW) in the 1960s and 1970s?

The National Organization for Women, founded in 1966, aimed to address gender inequality. One of its key goals was to pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to guarantee equality of rights regardless of sex, although the amendment did not pass.

How did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 impact women's rights?

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 helped promote gender equality by prohibiting discrimination based on sex. However, enforcement on this issue was initially weak, prompting further activism from women's rights groups like NOW.

What was the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy and when was it overturned?

'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' was a policy implemented during President Clinton's administration that allowed gay people to serve in the military as long as they did not disclose their sexual orientation. The policy was repealed under President Obama in 2011.

What is the Roe v. Wade decision, and how did it affect the pro-life movement?

The Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 legalized abortion in the U.S. during the first trimester. This ruling sparked the rise of the pro-life movement, which aimed to reverse abortion rights, advocating for the equal protection of unborn babies.

Why did the Equal Rights Amendment fail to be ratified?

The Equal Rights Amendment failed to be ratified largely due to opposition from conservative groups, such as those led by Phyllis Schlafly, who argued that it would undermine traditional gender roles and family structures.

How do civil rights movements demonstrate the use of the equal protection clause?

Civil rights movements often rely on the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to demand equal treatment and legal protections, arguing that discriminatory laws or practices violate constitutional principles.