Here American history and American law merge into one. Key historical events and landmark legal cases fill the pages of this book. American ideals of “All men are created equal” and “Equal justice under law” run headlong into white supremacy and gender inequality. This textbook allows history teachers and students alike to explore the social and cultural impact of judicial thinking on American society. The lessons are clear, concise and informative. They can be taught in a single semester in a Civil Rights class or in tandem with an American History class. A wider reading audience, interested in how the wheels of justice turn, can gain a deep understanding in short order of the history and case law surrounding civil rights. WORDS OF PRAISE "A brief and comprehensive analysis of cases with perceptible legal acuity from beginning of the nation to present day. This book gives readers substantial insight into how the legal system did or did not work. It documents graphically how the law is a living, organic and expanding force." --William J. McCarthy Lawyer/Educator McAllen, Texas "A must read for history students! Mr. McLinden’s book chronicles details of past and recent events in US history. This book does not contain any fluff or useless information." --Bitsey Horton Paralegal Los Angeles, California "A stimulating new book, with a great narrative. It turns usually impenetrable legal writings into a fabled, real-life struggle for civil rights. It shows how lawmakers and courts have promoted and protected personal freedoms, but also have historically attacked and ignored those same freedoms. This panoramic view provides an honest portrayal of the strides and setbacks our country has been dealing with in our march towards Justice for All." --Robert F. Durham Ph.D. 30-year History teacher Salt Lake City Schools

This book covers civil rights and civil liberties politics in the United States from the ratification of the Bill of Rights to current-day controversies, such as the travel ban and proposals to end birthright citizenship. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties: A Reference Handbook provides a thorough overview of civil rights in U.S. history, detailing all the relevant amendments to the Constitution and reviewing key Supreme Court decisions and landmark cases on the topic. Aimed at general readers as well as high school, college, and university students, it focuses on the role of federal courts in civil rights and civil liberties politics. It also profiles the primary actors in civil rights and civil liberties, both organizations and people. The volume comprises seven chapters. Chapter 1 presents the history and background of the topic, and Chapter 2 discusses problems, controversies, and solutions. Chapter 3 consists of essays by contributors that round out the coauthors' expertise. Chapter 4 profiles important organizations and people, while Chapter 5 offers relevant data and documents. Chapter 6 is composed of an annotated list of important resources. Finally, Chapter 7 offers a useful chronology citing and describing the major events related to the topic from the nation's founding until 2019.

This book tells the story of how Americans, from the Civil War through today, have fought over the meaning of civil rights.