3.12  Balancing Minority  and Majority Rights


The Court’s interpretation of the U.S. Constitution is influenced by the composition of the Court and citizen-state interactions. At times, it has restricted minority rights and, at others, protected them.

 Explain how the Court has at times allowed the restriction of the civil rights of minority groups and at other times has protected those rights.

 Decisions demonstrating that minority rights have been restricted at times and protected at other times include: