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2021 AP Government Prep with Paul Sargent #5 | Reviewing Civil Liberties

Session 5: Civil Liberties
This session investigates the history of civil liberties in the United States. Special attention is on the important Supreme Court cases that outlined modern civil liberties and the process of selective incorporation that applied the Bill of Rights to state governments.

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Lesson

National Government, Crisis, and Civil Liberties

8 Activities135 Min

In this lesson students attempt to balance civil liberties with security during a time of crisis. Students read and discuss President Lincoln’s proclamation suspending habeas corpus. Working in cooperative groups students hold a simulated trial in the case of Ex parte Milligan (1866). Following the simulation students debrief the case and compare their verdict with the actual verdict. Students reflect on President Lincoln’s attempt to balance the strength of the government with protection of individual civil liberties.