#AP US History: Social Movements & Individual Liberties (Warren Court Era) 🚀

Hey there, future AP champ! Let's dive into the game-changing social movements and court cases that defined individual liberties in the US during the Warren Court era. This guide is designed to be your ultimate resource, especially when you're reviewing the night before the exam. Let's make sure you're feeling confident and ready to ace it! 💪

#The Warren Court & Individual Liberties

The Warren Court, led by Chief Justice Earl Warren, was a powerhouse of social change. Think of it as the Supreme Court's version of a rockstar band, dropping hit after hit of landmark decisions that expanded individual rights. 🎸

Here's a quick rundown of some of the most important cases:

#Women's Movement

The Women's Movement gained major momentum in the 1960s, fueled by the Civil Rights Movement and the sexual revolution. It was all about women seeking equality and challenging traditional gender roles. 👩‍⚖️

#The National Organization for Women (NOW)

Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique was a catalyst, encouraging women to pursue careers and personal fulfillment beyond traditional roles. In 1966, Friedan co-founded NOW, which used activist tactics to fight for equal treatment, especially in job opportunities. 💼

Image Courtesy of The Daily Beast

Despite progress, women still faced the "glass ceiling" in the corporate world. 🏢

#Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) aimed to constitutionally guarantee gender equality. It passed Congress in 1972 but fell short of ratification by the states. While it was ratified by the 38th state in 2019, the deadline had long passed. ⏳

#Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 prohibits gender discrimination in federally funded education programs, including sports. It's a major win for gender equality in schools! ⚽🏀

Image Courtesy of American Enterprise Institute

In 1996, the Supreme Court extended Title IX to single-gender schools, ruling that Virginia's exclusion of women from the Virginia Military Institute was unconstitutional.

#Sexual Harassment

In 1986, the Supreme Court ruled that sexual harassment is a form of discrimination under the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The #MeToo movement in 2017 highlighted the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault. #MeToo 📣

#Gay Liberation Movement

The Gay Liberation Movement fought for LGBTQ+ rights and challenged long-standing discrimination. It's a story of courage, resilience, and the fight for equality. 🏳️‍🌈

#Important Terms

• LGBTQ: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (or Questioning). You might also see LGBT+, LGBT*, LGBTx, or LGBTQIA. 🌈
• Gender: Social constructs assigned to males and females. 🎭
• Cisgender: Gender identity aligns with the sex assigned at birth. ✅
• Queer: An umbrella term for those who reject binary categories of gender and sexual orientation. ☂️

#The Lavender Scare

The Lavender Scare was a witch hunt in the 1950s that targeted homosexuals in the US government. It was fueled by the Red Scare and the false belief that homosexuals were security risks. 😨

Image Courtesy of CBS News

#Stonewall Riots

The Stonewall Riots in 1969 were a turning point, marking the beginning of the modern gay rights movement. Patrons of the Stonewall Inn fought back against police raids, sparking a week of protests. 🔥

#Same-Sex Marriage

After the Stonewall Riots, the movement gained momentum. The American Psychiatric Association stopped classifying homosexuality as a mental disorder, and many states repealed sodomy laws. 🏳️‍🌈

Vermont was an early state to legally recognize same-sex relationships through civil unions. 🤝

Image Courtesy of Vermont Business Magazine

In 2013, the Supreme Court declared the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional. Finally, in 2015, Obergefell v. Hodges established the right to same-sex marriage nationwide. 💍

#Other Cases & The Equality Act

Recent cases have focused on workplace discrimination. The Equality Act aims to amend the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. ⚖️

#Refusal to Serve and Religious Freedom

The issue of businesses refusing service to LGBTQ+ individuals based on religious beliefs remains contentious. Cases like Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission highlight the conflict between religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws. 🎂

Image Courtesy of Harvard Civil Rights

#Transgender Issues

Transgender rights, including bathroom access, continue to be debated. The issue is often handled at the local level. 🚻

#The American Indian Movement (AIM)

The American Indian Movement (AIM) fought for self-determination and sovereignty for Indigenous peoples. It was a powerful movement that challenged the status quo. 🏹

AIM engaged in militant actions, including the occupation of Alcatraz Island in 1969 and Wounded Knee in 1973. ✊

AIM had several successes, including the Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975, which gave tribes greater control over their programs and resources. 🏛️

#Affirmative Action

Affirmative action policies aim to address past discrimination and promote diversity in education and the workforce. It's a controversial topic with strong opinions on both sides. ⚖️

Affirmative action can involve special rules on recruiting or preferential treatment for disadvantaged groups. Numerical quotas are the most controversial form. 📊

In Regents of the University of CA v. Bakke, the Supreme Court ruled against the use of strict racial quotas but allowed race to be considered as one factor in admissions. 🧑‍⚖️

Pay close attention to the arguments for and against affirmative action. It's a complex topic that often appears on the exam.

#Final Exam Focus 🎯

Okay, let's bring it all together! Here's what to focus on for the exam:

• Warren Court Cases: Know the key cases and their impact on individual liberties.
• Women's Movement: Understand the goals, key figures, and important legislation (like Title IX).
• Gay Liberation Movement: Be familiar with the Stonewall Riots, key legal victories, and ongoing challenges.
• American Indian Movement: Know their goals, actions, and legislative successes.
• Affirmative Action: Understand the arguments for and against it, and key court cases.

#Last-Minute Tips ⏰

• Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back later.
• Common Pitfalls: Avoid vague answers. Be specific and use historical evidence to support your points.
• FRQ Strategies: Start with a clear thesis statement. Use the documents provided and your own knowledge to support your arguments. Always provide context!

#

Practice Question

Practice Questions 📝

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following Supreme Court cases established the principle of "one person, one vote"? (A) Brown v. Board of Education (B) Baker v. Carr (C) Miranda v. Arizona (D) Gideon v. Wainwright

2. The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), despite not being ratified, aimed to: (A) Desegregate schools (B) Guarantee equal pay for equal work (C) Constitutionally guarantee gender equality (D) Ban discrimination based on sexual orientation

3. The Stonewall Riots are considered a turning point in the: (A) Women's Rights Movement (B) Civil Rights Movement (C) Gay Liberation Movement (D) American Indian Movement

#Free Response Question

Prompt: Evaluate the extent to which the Warren Court decisions and social movements of the 1960s and 1970s expanded individual liberties in the United States. Use specific examples to support your argument.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): Presents a historically defensible thesis that establishes a line of reasoning.
• Contextualization (1 point): Describes a broader historical context relevant to the prompt.
• Evidence (2-4 points): Provides specific examples of Warren Court decisions and social movements and explains how they expanded individual liberties.
• Analysis and Reasoning (1-2 points): Analyzes the significance of the evidence and explains the extent of the expansion of individual liberties.
• Complexity (1 point): Demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the topic by considering multiple perspectives or the limitations of the changes.

#Short Answer Question

1. Briefly explain the significance of Obergefell v. Hodges and its impact on the LGBTQ+ community.

2. Explain the goals and actions of the American Indian Movement (AIM).

You've got this! Review these notes, take a deep breath, and go crush that AP exam! 🎉