Civil liberties/Civil Rights
Which of the following decisions is most likely to cite the Supreme Court's decision in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) as a legal precedent in support of the decision? Responses A A decision in favor of students holding signs that protest a new policy B A decision against a public school's practice of having prayer at school assemblies C A decision supporting the creation of gun-free zones in public schools D A decision enforcing mandatory vaccinations for all children before attending school
A A decision in favor of students holding signs that protest a new policy
Which of the following principles protects a citizen from imprisonment without trial? Responses A Representative government B Separation of powers C Due process D Checks and balances E Popular sovereignty
C Due process
Which of the following statements best describes how United States citizens regard the rights of free speech and assembly? Responses A A majority agrees in principle with these rights, but in practice many people are often intolerant of views they do not support. B A majority actively supports these rights without any reservations. C A majority opposes these rights in principle. D The average citizen is more supportive of these rights than are members of the elite. E Conservatives have traditionally been more supportive of these rights than have liberals.
A A majority agrees in principle with these rights, but in practice many people are often intolerant of views they do not support.
"The original understanding of the Second Amendment was neither an individual right to self-defense nor a collective right of the states..." Saul Cornell, A Well-Regulated Militia: The Founding Fathers and the Origins of Gun Control in America, Oxford University Press, 2006 Which of the following could be used as evidence to support the author's claim? Responses A At the time the Constitution was written, laws in the states required able-bodied individuals to serve in militias. B The Constitution clearly states that the Second Amendment applies only to the federal government's ability to make gun laws. C The United States today uses militias such as police forces to maintain domestic peace. D The Constitution guarantees that all rights, including the Second Amendment, are incorporated to the states.
A At the time the Constitution was written, laws in the states required able-bodied individuals to serve in militias.
Writing for the court in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978), a case weighing whether race can be considered in college admissions, Justice Lewis Powell wrote: "Preferring members of any one group for no reason other than race or ethnic origin is discrimination for its own sake..." According to the quote, what was the likely effect of the Court's ruling in the Bakke case? Responses A Colleges could have considered race but could not use strict racial quotas in admission practices. B Affirmative action practices could include racial quotas in college admission decisions. C As a result of the Bakke decision, colleges and universities stopped considering race as a factor in admissions. D The Bakke decision affected the admissions practices only at private colleges, not at public universities.
A Colleges could have considered race but could not use strict racial quotas in admission practices.
Which of the following scenarios best explains the inclusion of Title IX as part of the Education Amendments of 1972 ? Responses A Members of Congress added the amendment to the bill in response to social movements seeking to address inequality in education for women. B Paid lobbyists added the amendment on behalf of teachers unions in order to increase pay and tenure for public school teachers. C President Lyndon Johnson used the power of the bully pulpit to pressure members of Congress to pass a bill that would legally desegregate schools. D The Department of Justice added the amendment in order to provide legal guidance to states to enforce the Equal Rights Amendment.
A Members of Congress added the amendment to the bill in response to social movements seeking to address inequality in education for women.
The facts of which of the following cases are most related to the political cartoon? Responses A New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) B Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) C Schenck v. United States (1919) D Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
A New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)
Which of the following was an argument used by the Supreme Court in upholding federal statutes outlawing segregation in public accommodations? Responses A Such segregation affected interstate commerce, and Congress therefore had the authority to outlaw it. B Such segregation was wrong in principle, and Congress had moral authority to outlaw it even though the statutes lacked a strict constitutional basis C Such segregation violated the First Amendment's protection of the right to free assembly, and Congress therefore had the authority to outlaw it. D Such segregation violated the Tenth Amendment's reservation of power to state governments, and Congress therefore had the authority to outlaw it. E Since such segregation affected citizens of different states, it fell under the original jurisdiction of the federal courts and could therefore be outlawed by Congress.
A Such segregation affected interstate commerce, and Congress therefore had the authority to outlaw it.
Which of the following headlines is most relevant to the political cartoon? Responses A Supreme Court Refuses to Stop the Presses for National Security B Supreme Court Rules High School Students May Silently Protest Vietnam War C Supreme Court Hears Flag Burning Case D War Protestor Presented "Clear and Present Danger" Says Court
A Supreme Court Refuses to Stop the Presses for National Security
Which of the following best explains how poll respondents regard the relationship between the right to own guns and personal freedom? Responses A The poll shows there is an ongoing debate over whether gun control laws promote or interfere with individual rights. B The poll shows that gun owners and non-gun owners have widely different views over a range of civil liberties issues. C The poll shows that party polarization has a sizable impact on elections and policy making at each level of government. D The poll shows that even Congress has mixed opinions as to whether the second amendment involves individual liberty.
A The poll shows there is an ongoing debate over whether gun control laws promote or interfere with individual rights.
The Supreme Court established the incorporation doctrine when the Court Responses A interpreted the Fourteenth Amendment as extending most of the requirements of the Bill of Rights to the states as well as the federal government B interpreted the Ninth Amendment as requiring national health and worker-safety standards to protect the individual's implied right of personal safety C stripped the armed forces of their discretionary powers regarding military service for gay men, lesbians, and married people D strengthened local police forces by granting them the power to investigate and prosecute federal offenses E granted the federal government the power to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
A interpreted the Fourteenth Amendment as extending most of the requirement
With respect to prayer in public schools, the United States Supreme Court has ruled that Responses A state-sponsored prayer violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment B state-sponsored prayer is permitted by the free exercise clause of the First Amendment C since educational policy is controlled largely by state governments, the First Amendment does not affect school policy on prayer D the free exercise clause permits teachers to mandate silent prayer E in school districts in which local authorities can demonstrate that all students belong to a single religion, mandated prayer is permissible
A state-sponsored prayer violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment
According to the clear and present danger test, speech may be restricted Responses A when it incites violent action B when it lacks a political purpose C whenever the United States is at war D if it is deemed offensive to religious organizations E if the writer or speaker is not a citizen of the United States
A when it incites violent action
Which of the following would most likely be protected by the First Amendment? Responses A A reporter knowingly publishes a false story that injures the subject's reputation. B A student wears a black armband at school to protest government involvement in a war. C An individual issues a threat against another individual on social media. D An individual spray paints graffiti on a public building to protest a government action.
B A student wears a black armband at school to protest government involvement in a war.
"The Supreme Court addressed policies related to government hiring practices and race in City of Richmond v. J. A. Croson Company..." Which of the following issues was the primary concern in City of Richmond v. J. A. Croson Company? Responses A Policies supporting popular sovereignty at all levels of government, including state and local governments. B Affirmative action policies intended to address workplace and educational disparities. C Limited government policies, which restrict the involvement of local governments in the creation of regulations for government contracts. D Free enterprise policies that require the intervention of government to ensure that all economic practices are fair.
B Affirmative action policies intended to address workplace and educational disparities.
A school district in Seattle used the race of students as a tie-breaking factor to determine which students would be admitted to the more popular schools in an attempt to maintain racial diversity. In the case Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1 (2007), the Supreme Court ruled this plan unconstitutional under the Fourteenth Amendment. Which of the following statements offers the most accurate comparison between this case and the decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) ? Responses A Both cases involved the use of affirmative action in public schools. B Both cases ruled against the school district based on the equal protection clause. C Both cases struck down plans to segregate students. D Both cases ruled in favor of students based on the due process clause.
B Both cases ruled against the school district based on the equal protection clause.
Which of the following constitutional amendments is most related to the issue shown on the map? Responses A Second Amendment B Eighth Amendment C Sixteenth Amendment D Twenty-Sixth Amendment
B Eighth Amendment
o which level of government did the Bill of Rights originally apply? Responses A State governments only B Federal government only C State and federal governments only D Local and federal governments only E Local, state, and federal governments
B Federal government only
Interest groups are protected under the Constitution by the Responses A provisions of Article I, Section 8 B First Amendment C Ninth Amendment D Tenth Amendment E Fourteenth Amendment
B First Amendment
"A classified Department of Defense study on the effectiveness of the United States involvement in the Afghanistan War is obtained by a newspaper..."The court rules in favor of the newspaper, citing as precedent the Supreme Court's decision in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971). Based on the ruling in the Supreme Court's decision, which of the following lines of reasoning does the court most likely use? Responses A Freedom of the press cannot be abridged except for restrictions on time, place, and manner of the communication. B Freedom of the press requires that the government show a significant danger to national security in order to stop publication. C Freedom of the press permits the press to print any story, but if the story embarrasses public officials, they can sue under defamation laws. D Freedom of the press cannot be abridged by the actions of the president without a law passed by Congress.
B Freedom of the press requires that the government show a significant danger to national security in order to stop publication.
"Just as the Fourth Amendment's right to privacy has been declared enforceable against the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth, it is enforceable by the same sanction . . . as is used against the federal government. Were it otherwise, . . . the assurance against unreasonable searches and seizures would be 'a form of words,' valueless . . . 'in the concept of ordered liberty." Justice Tom Clark, Mapp v. Ohio (1961) Which two principles are addressed in the excerptabove? The incorporation doctrine The concept of eminent domain The exclusionary rule The "wall of separation" doctrine Responses A I and II B I and III C I and IV D II and III E II and IV
B I and III
In Engel v. Vitale (1962), which of the following provides the legal reasoning behind the Supreme Court's ruling? Responses A It ruled that the state had an overarching right to compel students to listen to a nondenominational prayer led by public school teachers, finding such action permissible under the Tenth Amendment. B It ruled that the state had no justifiable interest to compel students to listen to a nondenominational prayer led by public school teachers, finding a clear establishment clause violation. C It balanced the school's interest in providing for an open and peaceful frame of mind for the school day with the interest of the students in not being subjected to the prayer, ultimately ruling for the state. D It rejected the student complaint, as public school students have no free exercise rights in school.
B It ruled that the state had no justifiable interest to compel students to listen to a nondenominational prayer led by public school teachers, finding a clear establishment clause violation.
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the establishment clause and the free exercise clause? A Used by founders to establish Christianity as the national religion&Reflects a basic belief in the protection of religious freedom B Prohibits the federal government from promoting religion or creating a national religion&Protects an individual's religious beliefs and reasonable religious practices C Provides a wall of separation of between church and state&Not a civil liberty incorporated to states D Ensures that all students must attend public school regardless of religious views&Protects again school-led prayer ceremonies
B Prohibits the federal government from promoting religion or creating a national religion&Protects an individual's religious beliefs and reasonable religious practices
Which of the following best defines civil liberties? Responses A The freedom to refuse to obey laws an individual considers to be immoral violations of civil rights B Provisions in the Bill of Rights that provide guarantees against arbitrary interference by government C Precedents pertaining to criminal procedure that are set by the Supreme Court that are upheld in the lower courts D Those features of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution that pertain to the actions of individuals and groups E Laws passed by Congress to define the powers and privileges of individuals
B Provisions in the Bill of Rights that provide guarantees against arbitrary interference by government
In the case of McDonald v. Chicago (2010) the Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for self-defense was applicable to the states. This ruling is an example of the application of the doctrine of Responses A Strict scrutiny B Selective incorporation C Stare decisis D Literalism
B Selective incorporation
Which of the following is a principle underlying the Bill of Rights? Responses A The people should control all aspects of governance. B Some rights are fundamental and should not be subject to majoritarian control. C The legislature should be the most powerful branch of government. D All people should be guaranteed the same rights, whether they are citizens or not. E It is groups rather than individuals that have fundamental rights and immunities.
B Some rights are fundamental and should not be subject to majoritarian control.
After hours of interrogation by police a suspect confesses to multiple felony offenses. His attorney objected to the admission of the confession because he was not advised of his right to have an attorney present nor his protection from self-incrimination. Which amendments are most relevant to this scenario? Responses A The Fourth and Fifth Amendments B The Fifth and Sixth Amendments C The Sixth and Eighth Amendments D The Fourth and Eighth Amendments
B The Fifth and Sixth Amendments
The United States Supreme Court has used which of the following to incorporate the Bill of Rights into state law? Responses A The necessary and proper clause B The Fourteenth Amendment C The Judiciary Act of 1789 D The Civil Rights Act of 1964 E The Voting Rights Act of 1965
B The Fourteenth Amendment
Which of the following amendments to the Constitution most likely provides the basis for a driver to challenge the constitutionality of police use of sobriety checkpoints in enforcing drunk driving laws? Responses A The First Amendment right to petition the government for a redress of grievances B The Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure C The Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination D The Eighth Amendment protection against cruel and unusual punishment E The Tenth Amendment right of states to powers not given to the national government
B The Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure
During an investigation, police officers find illegal drugs while searching a home for which they did not acquire a warrant. Which of the following would prevent the drugs from being used as evidence at trial? Responses A The writ of habeas corpus B The exclusionary rule C The Miranda warning D The protection against ex post facto
B The exclusionary rule
A woman is arrested for possessing illegal substances that were obtained after a warrantless search of her home by local police. Which of the following best explains whether the evidence could be used in a criminal trial? Responses A The due process rights of the Fifth Amendment require that the evidence be reviewed by the prosecution before being admitted as evidence in court. B The exclusionary rule, derived from the Fourth Amendment, prevents the evidence from being used against the suspect. C Since the evidence obtained suggests illegal activity, the evidence may be used against the defendant in a criminal trial. D If the case is in the state court system, the evidence can be used against the defendant.
B The exclusionary rule, derived from the Fourth Amendment, prevents the evidence from being used against the suspect.
All of the following statements reflect positions the Supreme Court has taken with regard to the right of free speech EXCEPT: Responses A A restriction on the right of free speech should always be viewed with skepticism. B There are no acceptable governmental restrictions on free speech. C Government has an obligation to try to ensure citizens the right to be heard. D The right to free speech is a fundamental natural right. E The First Amendments protects free speech from incursions of both the federal and state governments.
B There are no acceptable governmental restrictions on free speech.
The process of extending the protections of the Bill of Rights by means of the Fourteenth Amendment to apply to the actions of state governments is known as Responses A judicial review B incorporation C broad construction D federalism E stare decisis
B incorporation
Which of the following scenarios, related to the First Amendment, best illustrates the "right . . . to petition the Government . . ." ? Responses A A newspaper prints an editorial supporting executive action by the president. B A student sues a public school that institutes a mandatory prayer ceremony. C A citizen calls a member of Congress to persuade her to vote yes on a bill. D A religious group practices a religious ritual that is in conflict with a local law.
C A citizen calls a member of Congress to persuade her to vote yes on a bill.
Which of the following best illustrates the protection of an individual's Fifth Amendment rights? Responses A An appeals court rules that a lower court imposed excessive punishment on an individual who broke a law. B A judge blocks an attempt by law enforcement to search a home without probable cause. C After arrest, a suspect is informed of the right to remain silent during interrogation. D During a time of war, soldiers are not quartered in a person's home without the consent of the owner.
C After arrest, a suspect is informed of the right to remain silent during interrogation.
Which of the following illustrates a situation that would not be protected by the First Amendment due to time, place, and manner restrictions? Responses A A student is expelled from school for wearing a black T-shirt expressing opposition to a law recently passed by the state legislature. B An organization regarded as a hate group is not able to obtain a permit to march through a major city because of its message. C Antibusiness protestors are arrested and prosecuted for shutting down major intersections in New York City's Times Square during rush hour. D An independent political advocacy organization is prevented by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from running political advertisements on television.
C Antibusiness protestors are arrested and prosecuted for shutting down major intersections in New York City's Times Square during rush hour.
"If we resort to violence then one of two things will happen: either the violence will be escalated and there will be many injuries and perhaps deaths on both sides, or there will be total demoralization of the workers..." Which of the following is a similarity between the views expressed in the excerpt above and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail"? Responses A Unlike César Chávez, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. supported the use of violence after all other means had been exhausted. B Unlike Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., César Chávez supported the use of violence as a means to start the movement. C Both César Chávez and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. argued for the continued use of nonviolence to further their causes. D Both César Chávez and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. argued for the use of nonviolence after standards of equality had been met.
C Both César Chávez and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. argued for the continued use of nonviolence to further their causes.
"The president privately discusses with his staff a decision to increase economic sanctions on Iran..." Which of the following best indicates how a court would rule in this case if the Supreme Court's ruling in New York Times Co. v. United States...? A The president has the authority to stop the publication of the story because the administration has asserted that the information in the story threatens national security. B Although the documents have already been obtained by the press, a court must review the documents prior to publication to ensure that no information that threatens national security is made public. C Freedom of the press includes a heavy presumption against government censorship, and the documents can be published by the press. D Because the president's staff leaked the documents and the newspaper obtained them in an illegal manner, a court can stop publication until law enforcement investigat
C Freedom of the press includes a heavy presumption against government censorship, and the documents can be published by the press.
"It ought to be possible, in short, for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without regard to his race or his color..." President John F. Kennedy, Report to the American People on Civil Rights, June 11, 1963 Which of the following expresses the most significant political concern in the passage? Responses A Improved understanding of the flaws of the legal system B Greater funding for education in urban areas C Increased awareness of citizen inequalities that need to be addressed D Decreased partisanship in congressional policymaking
C Increased awareness of citizen inequalities that need to be addressed
Which of the following is true of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 ? Responses A It was unnecessary because the Fifteenth Amendment effectively guaranteed African Americans the right to vote. B It has never been applied to any group except southern African Americans. C It has been a major instrument for increasing the number of African American and other minority voters. D It was declared unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court in Shaw v. Reno. E It requires that minority officeholders be elected.
C It has been a major instrument for increasing the number of African American and other minority voters.
The establishment clause in the First Amendment does which of the following? Responses A Guarantees freedom of speech to all citizens. B Prevents prior restraint of the press. C Prohibits the setting up of a state church. D Defines the concept of dual citizenship. E Allows citizens to enter freely into contracts with other citizens.
C Prohibits the setting up of a state church
The United States Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was based on which of the following? Responses A The First Amendment's right to freedom of expression B The Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause C The Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection D The Fourth Amendment's exclusionary rule E The Fifth Amendment's power of eminent domain
C The Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection
Which of the following is most likely responsible for the increase in the number of southern African American state legislators between 1960 and 1992 as shown in the graph? Responses A The Civil Rights Act of 1964 B Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) C The Voting Rights Act of 1965 D The Nineteenth Amendment
C The Voting Rights Act of 1965
An investigative reporter uncovers illegal and unethical behavior on the part of a state government official. When the local newspaper announces that it will publish the story, the state government issues an injunction to stop the story from being released before being reviewed by government lawyers. Which of the following best represents how the court will most likely respond to the case? Responses A The newspaper will be required to delay publication until after the lawyers review the materials. B The newspaper will publish the story but face a libel lawsuit if the information contained is embarrassing to the government. C The newspapers will be permitted to publish the story without a review by the government's lawyers. D The newspapers will not be permitted to publish the story if the government objects.
C The newspapers will be permitted to publish the story without a review by the government's lawyers.
Which of the following Supreme Court decisions allows public school students to wear T-shirts protesting a school board decision that eliminates funding for high school arts programs? Responses A Engel v. Vitale (1962) B Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) C Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) D New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)
C Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)
According to the data, both gun owners and non-gun owners Responses A answered similarly regarding the importance of the right to own guns B believed that the right to vote was less essential than freedom of religion C chose freedom of speech as most essential to their own liberty D demonstrated deep division between one another in most categories
C chose freedom of speech as most essential to their own liberty
Civil rights activists, such as those who campaign for gay and lesbian equal rights and those who advocated for racial equality in the 1950s and 1960s, often find the most effective way to secure those rights is Responses A through mass demonstrations to raise awareness of their cause B through lobbying of individual members of Congress for support on legislation C through litigation in the courts to gain legal protections against discrimination D by launching educational campaigns to increase the level of public support for their cause E by persuading presidents to issue executive orders that prevent discrimination within the federal workforce
C through litigation in the courts to gain legal protections against discrimination
The free-exercise clause protects A the president from forcibly revealing private conversations with staff B individuals who, for religious reasons, refuse to pay Social Security taxes C voluntary prayer by student groups before school D a person's right to burn the American flag E a person's right to practice polygamy
C voluntary prayer by student groups before school
The Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection clause declares that "No State shall . . . deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." In which of the following scenarios is this clause most likely to be used by the Supreme Court in its decision? Responses A A state law levies a tax on a bank established by the federal government. B Congress uses the commerce clause to establish a gun-free school zone. C A media company is prevented from publishing a classified document. D A local school district mandates racially segregated schools.
D A local school district mandates racially segregated schools.
In the case Boynton v. Virginia (1960), the Supreme Court ruled that segregation at a bus stop restaurant was illegal based on the Interstate Commerce Act. Which of the following explains how this case is similar to Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) ? Responses A Both cases were related to school bussing. B Both cases were primarily about the application of the commerce clause to address segregation. C Both cases ruled that the federal government did not have the authority to address segregation. D Both cases struck down local ordinances that prescribed segregation.
D Both cases struck down local ordinances that prescribed segregation.
Which of the following Supreme Court cases established that those accused of felonies who cannot afford legal counsel are entitled to legal counsel provided by the state? Responses A United States v. Lopez (1995) B McDonald v. Chicago (2010) C Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) D Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
D Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
A group unhappy with local law enforcement distributes a memo to members encouraging physical confrontations with police officers. The leaders of the group are promptly arrested. Which of the following Supreme Court cases best justifies the actions taken by law enforcement in this scenario? Responses A Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) B Engel v. Vitale (1962) C New York Times v. United States (1971) D Schenck v. United States (1919)
D Schenck v. United States (1919)
In Gideon v. Wainwright, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the Responses A Bible could be distributed at public schools under the free exercise clause of the First Amendment B exclusionary rule prevented the introduction of evidence seized in violation of the Fourth Amendment from being introduced in court C eminent domain clause of the Fifth Amendment prevents government from taking religious property for public purposes D Sixth Amendment right-to-counsel provision applies to those accused of major crimes under state laws E Eighth Amendment cruel-and-unusual-punishment provision cannot be applied in a discriminatory manner
D Sixth Amendment right-to-counsel provision applies to those accused of major crimes under state laws
Which of the following explains the constitutional reasoning in McDonald v. Chicago (2010) ? Responses A The equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment requires Congress to protect an individual's ability to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment. B The Second Amendment is a collective right and not one intended for individual application. C The full faith and credit clause requires the state of Illinois to respect the laws of neighboring states concerning the right to keep and bear arms. D The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for the purpose of self-defense is applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.
D The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for the purpose of self-defense is applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.
The Supreme Court has ruled which of the following concerning the death penalty? Responses A A state may not impose the death penalty on a noncitizen. B Lethal injection is the only constitutionally acceptable method of execution. C Females may not be executed. D The death penalty is not necessarily cruel and unusual punishment. E The death penalty violates the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution.
D The death penalty is not necessarily cruel and unusual punishment.
The clause of the United States Constitution that was used in the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) was Responses A The due process clause B The necessary and proper clause C The free exercise clause D The equal protection clause
D The equal protection clause
In Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954), the Supreme Court stated that the plaintiffs "seek the aid of the courts in obtaining admission to the public schools of their community on a non-segregated basis. In each instance, they had been denied admission to schools attended by white children under laws requiring or permitting segregation according to race." The Supreme Court ruled "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." Which of the following provisions of the United States Constitution did the Supreme Court use to strike down racial segregation in state public schools? Responses A The due process clause of the Fifth Amendment B The due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment C The equal protection clause of the Fifth Amendment D The equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
D The equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
Just beyond the horizon of current events lie two possible political futures—both bleak, neither democratic..." Since 1992, how has concern over the increasingly dangerous world described in the passage most affected American political debates? Responses A It has led to a decline in the power of states to enforce their own state laws. B Congress has increased its role in foreign policy, especially when it comes to combat operations. C There has been a decline in support for the free enterprise system due to the increased number of trade agreements. D The federal government has increased its surveillance powers, leading to a debate about the balance between civil liberties and security.
D The federal government has increased its surveillance powers, leading to a debate about the balance between civil liberties and security.
Which of the following is one of the central concerns of the First Amendment? Responses A The supremacy of the national over the state governments B The right of citizens to bear arms C The division of powers among the three branches of government D The right of citizens to petition the government for redress of grievances E The protection of the rights of those accused of committing a crime
D The right of citizens to petition the government for redress of grievances
Which of the following cases decided whether a state could compel children to attend school beyond eighth grade even if it violated the students' sincerely held religious beliefs? Responses A United States v. Lopez (1995) B Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) C Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) D Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
D Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, the Equal Rights Amendment, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 were all directed toward the goal of Responses A protecting the rights of minority children in the schools B overcoming discrimination based on sexual orientation C racial justice D equality for women E affirmative action
D equality for women
The clear-and-present danger test devised by the Supreme Court was designed to define the conditions under which public authorities could Responses A ban obscene materials B suspend habeas corpus protections C mobilize the National Guard D limit free speech E commit troops to situations of potential foreign combat
D limit free speech
The passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a significant political event because it Responses A scaled back the provisions of the Fifteenth Amendment B was used to emancipate southern African Americans C was declared unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court in Shaw v. Reno D was instrumental in increasing the number of African American and other minority voters E required that minority officeholders be elected
D was instrumental in increasing the number of African American and other minority voters
