Overview
This lecture covered Competency 4 of the Florida Civic Literacy Exam, focusing on landmark legislation, Supreme Court cases, and executive actions and their impact on law and society.
Landmark Legislation
- Landmark legislation consists of laws passed by Congress that have a major impact on society.
- The New Deal (1930s): Congressional laws creating social programs like Social Security and food assistance during the Great Depression.
- Alien and Sedition Acts (1798): Restricted speech critical of government and tightened rules for foreign-born Americans.
- USA Patriot Act (2001): Expanded law enforcement surveillance and penalties for terrorism after 9/11.
- Affordable Care Act (2010, "Obamacare"): Created to make health insurance more affordable; passed by Congress.
Landmark Supreme Court Cases
- Supreme Court cases set legal precedents and interpret laws affecting future decisions.
- Plessy v. Ferguson (1896): Upheld "separate but equal" racial segregation as constitutional.
- Brown v. Board of Education (1954): Ruled racial segregation in schools is inherently unequal and unconstitutional.
- Korematsu v. United States (1944): Upheld the exclusion and internment of Japanese Americans during WWII.
- Miranda v. Arizona (1966): Police must inform suspects of their rights before interrogation.
- Gideon v. Wainwright (1963): States must provide attorneys to criminal defendants who cannot afford them.
- District of Columbia v. Heller (2008): Held that banning handguns violated the Second Amendment.
- Engel v. Vitale (1962): School-led prayer in public schools is unconstitutional.
Executive Actions
- Executive actions are directives issued by the President in special circumstances.
- Treaty of Paris (1898): Ended the Spanish-American War and expanded U.S. territories.
- Suspension of Habeas Corpus: Lincoln suspended this right during the Civil War for national security.
- Japanese-American Internment Camps: Roosevelt authorized removal and internment of Japanese Americans during WWII.
- Desegregation of Armed Forces (1948): Truman's order to ban segregation in the U.S. military.
Practice Questions & Study Tips
- Exam questions often ask which cases or laws prioritized national security over rights, enabled segregation, or supported government programs like the New Deal.
- Organize your study guide by topic or historical era to aid recall.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Landmark Legislation — Major laws passed by Congress that create significant societal impact.
- Supreme Court Case — A judicial decision that sets legal precedent for interpreting laws.
- Executive Action — A written directive issued by the President.
- Habeas Corpus — The right for a person under arrest to appear before a court.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the provided libguide using the QR code or by searching “MDC FCLE libguide.”
- Study additional Supreme Court cases and executive actions listed in the libguide.
- Practice with sample questions and summaries for exam preparation.