Exploring the Equal Protection Clause and Civil Rights

What is the primary focus of civil rights?

• Economic policies

• Environmental regulations

• Ways citizens treat other groups differently

• Protections against government interference

Which clause of the Fourteenth Amendment is central to civil rights?

• Due Process Clause

• Equal Protection Clause

• Establishment Clause

• Free Exercise Clause

What was the Supreme Court's initial interpretation of the 'equal protection' clause?

• It applied to both state and private discrimination

• It applied only to state government actions

• It abolished all distinctions based on color

• It enforced social equality

What are 'protected classes' according to the Supreme Court?

• Political parties

• Minorities such as religious, national, or racial groups

• Economic classes

• Majority groups

Why do courts pay special attention to laws affecting protected classes?

• Because they are economically powerful

• Because they are at a disadvantage in the democratic process

• Because they have significant political power

• Because they are the majority

What is the highest level of scrutiny applied by the courts?

• Strict scrutiny

• Intermediate scrutiny

• Minimal scrutiny

• Rational basis review

What does the 'strict scrutiny' test require the government to prove?

• That the law is the least restrictive means to achieve a compelling interest

• That the law is economically beneficial

• That the law is popular

• That the law is easy to enforce

What is the 'rational basis' standard?

• A standard applied only to economic regulations

• The highest level of scrutiny

• A standard that always favors the government

• A standard where the government must show a rational basis for its actions

What was the main issue in Brown v. Board of Education?

• Segregation in public schools

• Employment discrimination

• Voting rights

• Housing discrimination

What was the significance of the Brown v. Board of Education decision?

• It upheld the 'separate but equal' doctrine

• It ended segregation in public schools

• It applied only to private schools

• It had no impact on civil rights