American Civil Liberties Union

Definition

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a non-profit organization dedicated to defending and preserving the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and laws. It works through the legal system to protect civil rights and civil liberties, often by challenging government actions that it deems unconstitutional.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The ACLU was founded in 1920 by a group of civil rights activists, including Roger Baldwin, Crystal Eastman, and Walter Nelles.
2. The ACLU has played a significant role in many landmark Supreme Court cases that have expanded civil liberties and civil rights, such as Brown v. Board of Education and Roe v. Wade.
3. The ACLU works to protect a wide range of rights, including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, due process, and privacy rights.
4. The ACLU is a non-partisan organization and has defended the rights of individuals and groups across the political spectrum, including both conservative and liberal causes.
5. The ACLU is funded primarily through private donations and does not receive any government funding, which allows it to maintain its independence and focus on its mission.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of the ACLU in protecting civil liberties and civil rights in the United States.
  • The ACLU plays a crucial role in protecting civil liberties and civil rights in the United States. As a non-profit organization, the ACLU uses the legal system to challenge government actions that it deems unconstitutional, often focusing on issues such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, due process, and privacy rights. Through its work in the courts, the ACLU has been instrumental in expanding and defending the fundamental individual rights and freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and laws.
• Describe the ACLU's approach to defending civil liberties and civil rights, and how it differs from other advocacy organizations.
  • The ACLU's approach to defending civil liberties and civil rights is unique in that it is a non-partisan organization that works to protect the rights of individuals and groups across the political spectrum. Unlike some advocacy organizations that may have a specific ideological agenda, the ACLU focuses on upholding the Constitution and the rule of law, regardless of the political affiliation of the individuals or groups it represents. This allows the ACLU to maintain its independence and credibility, and to focus solely on its mission of defending the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Americans.
• Analyze the significance of the ACLU's role in shaping the development of civil liberties and civil rights jurisprudence through its involvement in landmark Supreme Court cases.
  • The ACLU's involvement in landmark Supreme Court cases has been instrumental in shaping the development of civil liberties and civil rights jurisprudence in the United States. Through its legal challenges to government actions that it deems unconstitutional, the ACLU has played a crucial role in expanding and protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. For example, the ACLU's involvement in cases like Brown v. Board of Education and Roe v. Wade have had a profound impact on the legal landscape, establishing important precedents and advancing the cause of civil rights and civil liberties. By leveraging the power of the judicial system, the ACLU has been able to hold the government accountable and ensure that the rights of all Americans are protected, even in the face of political or social opposition.

Related terms

Civil Liberties: Fundamental individual rights and freedoms protected by the U.S. Constitution, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to due process.

Civil Rights: The legal rights of individuals to be free from discrimination and to receive equal treatment under the law, regardless of their race, gender, disability, or other protected characteristics.

Judicial Review: The power of the courts to review the actions of the legislative and executive branches of government and to declare them unconstitutional if they violate the Constitution.