Unit 10 Amendments

In 1940, the Texas Democratic Party refused to give an African-American man a ballot to select candidates to run for Congress and governor. 

In finding this action unconstitutional, the U.S. Supreme Court stated “…this Court is not constrained to follow a previous decision which…, involves the application of a constitutional principle, rather than an interpretation of the Constitution to evolve the principle itself.”              Source: Smith v. Allwright (1944)

According to the passage, what did this U.S. Supreme Court decision illustrate?

• The U.S. Supreme Court limited voting rights through the Voting Rights Act.

• The U.S. Supreme Court limited voting rights through amendment interpretation. 

• The U.S. Supreme Court expanded voting rights through amendment interpretation.

• The U.S. Supreme Court expanded voting rights through Voting Rights Act interpretation.

How did the passage of the Voting Rights of 1965 impact political participation?  

• All persons who passed a literacy test could now vote.

• All children of foreign citizens could now vote.

• All African-Americans could now vote.

• All women could now vote.  

The statement below was made by President Dwight Eisenhower upon signing Public Law 396 in 1954 which added “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

To anyone who truly loves America, nothing could be more inspiring than to contemplate

this rededication of our youth, on each school morning, to our country's true meaning.

Source:  Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum

 

Which First Amendment protections have been cited in opposition to this change?

• establishment and association

• speech and free exercise

• establishment and free exercise

• association and speech

How are 14th Amendment due process protections related to the Civil Rights Act of 1968?

• Congress may not enact discriminatory housing statutes.

• Congress may not enact discriminatory employment policies.  

• State legislatures may not enact discriminatory housing statutes.

• State legislatures may not enact discriminatory employment policies.  

Why does the U.S. Supreme Court continue to debate the constitutionality of the death penalty?

• Citizens are protected against unfair trials. 

• Citizens are protected against double jeopardy.

• Citizens are protected from cruel and unusual punishment.

• Citizens are protected from unreasonable search and seizure.    

The image symbolizes a right protected by the Bill of Rights.

Caption: Jury Duty - Serve with Pride

 

What constitutional right does this image symbolize?

• speedy trial

• trial by peers

• legal representation

• peaceable assembly

Which three rights are guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?

• freedom of speech, right to bear arms, right to a speedy trial

• right to bear arms, right to a speedy trial, right to an education

• freedom of speech, right to work, right to petition the government

• right to vote, right to work, right to a speedy trial

The excerpt below is from a constitutional amendment.

 

"The right of citizens of the United States...to vote shall not be denied ...on account of age"

Amendment 26, U.S. Constitution

 

How did this amendment affect participation in the American political process?

• The amendment created the requirement that all citizens be registered with selective service.

• The amendment created age requirement changes in selective service.

• The amendment allowed more U.S. citizens to register to vote.

• The amendment allowed college students to vote.

Which constitutional principle is applied when the police inform suspects of their rights?

• due process of law

• eminent domain

• double jeopardy

• trial by jury

The photograph illustrates an event in U.S. History.

 

Source: Library of Congress

 

What was Congress' response to the social movement symbolized in the photograph?

• decreased commerce opportunities

• increased economic opportunities

• increased religious opportunities

• decreased military opportunities