Civil Rights and Discrimination

Vocabularyprejudice-a negative opinion formed without

just grounds or a reasonable investigation of the facts. 

racism-discrimination and unfair treatment based on race.

 reservation

-an area of public land set aside by the government for Native Americans

internment camps- used to imprison Japanese

Americans during World War II.

What are civil rights?

Civil Rights -rights that involve equal treatment

and status and the right to participate in government.

What are some examples of civil rights?

Key Civil Rights-Fair and equal treatment-Free from discrimination

-Right to vote, run for office, and participate in public life

Constitutional Amendments

5th- Criminal Cases

-No one can go to trial without being accused by a grand jury.

-Government cannot take property without fair payment

13th- Abolished Slavery

14th- Citizenship

-ALL persons born in the U.S. or naturalized are citizens.

15th- Voting Rights

- Rights of citizens cannot be denied based upon race, color, etc. (States can still set qualifications for voters aside from this.)

19th- Women’s Voting Rights

-Women must be allowed to vote (took 40 years to pass this amendment).

24- Poll taxes are banned

26 - Voting Age - 18

In America, what are some groups that have faced

discrimination and have had to fight for civil rights?

 

African Americans

Came to America as slaves = viewed as property, not people

 Were not guaranteed freedom by the federal government until the

Emancipation Proclamation (1863). 

Over 100 years would go by until African Americans would realize

their civil rights across the country. 

Native Americans

Like African Americans, they were viewed as separate from American

society = no rights

Land was taken through warfare, disease, and deception.

As American population increased, the U.S. government began creating

reservations.

• Were not given citizenship until 1924. What kinds of problems would this have caused?

Asian AmericansIn the mid 1800s Chinese

Americans began working on railroads. 

Why did this cause resentment from white Americans?

Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 essentially stopped Chinese

immigration altogether.

During World War II America fights Japan

Japanese Americans living on the West Coast were required, by

Executive (Presidential) Order 9066,to live in internment camps.

Why?

Hispanic Americans

Includes people from Mexico, Central America, South America, and Caribbean Islands such as

Cuba.

Often viewed as conquered peoples in the Southwest

Land was taken questionably

Migrant workers have been around since the 1800s

WomenHow have women been treated

differently historically?

European Americans

Waves of different immigrants faced discrimination

Immigration Act of 1924- Greatly limited immigration from all places

except Northern Europe.