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Bill of Rights Timeline
1791: Bill of Rights added to Constitution
1833: Supreme Court rules, In Barron v. Baltimore, that Bill of Rights applies only to U.S. government, not to states
1868: 14th Amendment makes it illegal for states to deny blacks their rights
1896: In Plessy v. Ferguson, Court says racial segregation does not violate 14th Amendment
1919: In Schenck v. U.S., Court upholds Espionage Act, saying free speech can be restricted during wartime
1925–1932: Court rules 14th Amendment requires states to protect freedom of speech, religion, and press
1943: In W.V. State Board of Education v. Barnette, Court rules students can refuse to salute flag under First Amendment
1954: In Brown v. Board of Education, Court rules 14th Amendment outlaws segregation
1961–1972: Court rules 14th Amendment requires states to protect criminal rights as listed in Amendments 4, 5, 6, and 8
1964: In Griswold v. Connecticut, Court rules that state laws banning use of birth control violate right to privacy
1972: Court rules wiretapping is a "search" as covered in 4th Amendment
1973: In Roe v. Wade, Court rules right to privacy protects woman's right to an abortion
1988: In Hazelwood School District v. Kulheimer, Court rules schools can censor student press and other activities
Key Words in Chapter Four
Section One
civil liberties - the freedoms we have to think and act without government interference or fear of unfair treatment.
censorship - the banning of printed materials or films due to alarming or offensive ideas.
petition - a formal request for government action; a brief, written statement signed by hundreds or thousands of people.
slander - spoken untruths that are harmful to one's reputation.
libel - written untruths that are harmful to one's reputation.
Section Two
search warrant - a court order allowing law enforcement officers to search a suspect's home or business and take specific items as evidence.
indictment - a formal charge by a grand jury.
grand jury - a group of citizens that decide whether there is sufficient evidence to accuse someone of a crime.
double jeopardy - putting someone on trial for a crime which he or she was previously acquitted.
due process - following established legal procedures.
eminent domain - the right of government to take private property for public use.
bail - a sum of money used as a security deposit to ensure that an accused person returns for his or her trial.
Section Three
suffrage - the right to vote.
poll tax - a sum of money required of voters before they are permitted to cast a ballot.
Section Four
discrimination - unfair treatment based on prejudice against a certain group.
segregation - a social separation of the races.
civil rights - the rights of full citizenship and equality under the law.
affirmative action - programs intended to make up for past discrimination by helping minority groups and women gain access to jobs and opportunities.
racial profiling - singling out an individual as a suspect as appearance of ethnicity.
civil liberties - the freedoms we have to think and act without government interference or fear of unfair treatment.
censorship - the banning of printed materials or films due to alarming or offensive ideas.
petition - a formal request for government action; a brief, written statement signed by hundreds or thousands of people.
slander - spoken untruths that are harmful to one's reputation.
libel - written untruths that are harmful to one's reputation.
Section Two
search warrant - a court order allowing law enforcement officers to search a suspect's home or business and take specific items as evidence.
indictment - a formal charge by a grand jury.
grand jury - a group of citizens that decide whether there is sufficient evidence to accuse someone of a crime.
double jeopardy - putting someone on trial for a crime which he or she was previously acquitted.
due process - following established legal procedures.
eminent domain - the right of government to take private property for public use.
bail - a sum of money used as a security deposit to ensure that an accused person returns for his or her trial.
Section Three
suffrage - the right to vote.
poll tax - a sum of money required of voters before they are permitted to cast a ballot.
Section Four
discrimination - unfair treatment based on prejudice against a certain group.
segregation - a social separation of the races.
civil rights - the rights of full citizenship and equality under the law.
affirmative action - programs intended to make up for past discrimination by helping minority groups and women gain access to jobs and opportunities.
racial profiling - singling out an individual as a suspect as appearance of ethnicity.
