The document summarizes key civil rights cases and acts in the United States. It discusses the Brown vs. Board of Education case in 1954 that ruled racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. It also mentions the Roe vs. Wade case in 1973 that established a woman's right to abortion. Finally, it outlines the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965 that prohibited discrimination based on race, gender, religion and protected voting rights.

1. 4.04 Civil Rights
Slideshow
Elijah Padgett – Mrs. Schweiger

2. Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka

3. Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka
• In perhaps one of the largest cases marking the elimination of segregation in America, the idea of segregated
schools was challenged. Oliver Brown, Kansas school board member and parent of a child denied by segregated
white schools, had made sure that it would be known that these segregated schools were not equal by filing a court
case stating that this decision was against the 14th Amendment. This case was taken to the Supreme Court and was
reviewed by many officials. The decision reached was that no child of America should be denied a good education
and that segregated schools had defeated the purpose of this fact. Brown vs. Board is a substantial case in Civil
Rights history, as it is one of the most significant moments against the segregation of the United States. The fact
that Supreme Court, at the time, even appealed to an idea, let alone pass, like this was monumental and a marking
point in history for change.
• McBride, Alex. "Landmark Cases: Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka." PBS. PBS, Dec. 2006. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
<http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/rights/landmark_brown.html>.
• "Brown v. Board of Education." The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. The Leadership Conference, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
<http://www.civilrights.org/education/brown/>.

4. Roe vs. Wade

5. Roe vs. Wade
• In this case, one challenging the very idea of life itself, Norma McCovey, as her alias Jane Roe, stated that the state
law banning abortions violated her civil rights. At the time, subjects like this were often not talked about in major
Supreme Court cases. The major feminist movements of the 70’s, however, challenged this societal idea. After many
public rallies, protests, and speeches, Norma McCovey took the case to the Supreme Court. The decision was made
that most abortions before the third trimester were not able to be outlawed. This decision was monumental in the
fact that this was a major case in the topic of women’s rights.
• McBride, Alex. "Landmark Cases: Roe v. Wade." PBS. PBS, Dec. 2006. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
<http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/rights/landmark_roe.html>.
• "Roe v. Wade." Oyez. Chicago-Kent College of Law at Illinois Tech, n.d. Mar 15, 2016.
<https://www.oyez.org/cases/1971/70-18>

6. Civil Rights Act of 1964

7. Civil Rights Act of 1964
• This is the defining document in the Civil Rights movement. It states that there shall be no
discrimination based on race, sex, gender, religion, or orientation. While many issue were left
unsolved by this point, this was the document used as the gateway to MANY different
opportunities for equality. Many leaders, such as Martin Luther King Jr., and Supreme Court
cases, such as Brown vs. Board, fought hard and it still carries on until today. This act is a
marking point in the revolution of human rights.
• United States. National Park Service. "Civil Rights Act of 1964." National Parks Service. U.S.
Department of the Interior, 03 Mar. 2016. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
<http://www.nps.gov/subjects/civilrights/1964-civil-rights-act.htm>.

8. Voting Rights Act of 1965

9. Voting Rights Act of 1965
• Along with the Civil Rights Act, MLK Jr. had spoke with US officials on the idea of equality. This, also, led to the
official decision that there should be no discrimination of race within the voting process of America. The decision
led to the amazing turnout of more voters and political interest, as the equality encouraged the people of America
to make a change. This was a major turning point in human rights history, as this was the moment that the country
came together for the greater good.
• "Voting Rights Act." The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. The Leadership Conference, n.d.
Web. 15 Mar. 2016. <http://www.civilrights.org/voting-rights/vra/>.