Civil Rights vs. Civil Liberties&

Extension of Rights

Unit 1 Day 2

Civil Rights

• the rights of individuals to receive equal treatment (and to be free from unfair treatment or discrimination)

• based on certain legally-protected characteristics such as race, gender, age, disability.

• Civil Rights = Equal Treatment

Civil Liberties

• Civil Liberties are basic rights and freedoms that are guaranteed through the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and court interpretations over the years.

• Civil Liberties= Basic Rights

Examples of Civil Liberties

• Freedom of speech • The right to privacy • The right to be free from unreasonable

searches of your home • The right to a fair court trial • The right to marry • The right to vote

Civil War Amendments

13th Am: 1865• officially outlawed slavery

14th Am: 1868• equal protection of the law• defines a citizen as anyone born or

naturalized in the US

15th Am: 1870• All male citizens granted the right

to vote (Suffrage- the right to vote)

Other Amendments

17th Am: 1913• Vote for senators directly. Used to

be chosen by the Senate.

19th Am: 1920• Gives women the right to vote

(suffrage) 23rd Am: 1961• Gives the residents of the District

of Columbia D.C., the right to vote

Even more Amendments

24th Am: 1964• Abolishes poll taxes ($

paid in order to vote) • Poll taxes kept the poor

from voting

26th Am: 1971• Voting age set at 18 for

national and local elections