Civil Rights and Discrimination

Vocabulary prejudice-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 What kinds of problems would this have caused?

Asian Americans In 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

Women How have women been treated differently historically?

European Americans Waves of different immigrants faced discrimination Immigration Act of Greatly limited immigration from all places except Northern Europe.