GITLOW Meaning and
Definition
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"Gitlow" refers to a term that pertains to a significant legal case, as well as the surname of the individual involved in the case. In a broader sense, Gitlow is associated with the legal doctrine of incorporation, which is the process by which certain provisions of the Bill of Rights are applied to state governments through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Specifically, the term "Gitlow" gained popularity due to the landmark Supreme Court case of Gitlow v. New York in 1925. In this case, Benjamin Gitlow, a socialist and political activist, was charged with criminal anarchy for distributing materials advocating for the violent overthrow of the government. Gitlow argued that his freedom of speech and press protected under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution were violated.
The Supreme Court, in its decision, acknowledged that the Fourteenth Amendment extended certain protections of the Bill of Rights to the states. Despite upholding Gitlow's conviction, the Court established an important precedent by ruling that freedom of speech and press must be respected at both the federal and state levels. This ruling set the foundation for the incorporation doctrine, which significantly expanded individual rights across the United States.
In summary, "Gitlow" primarily refers to the legal case of Gitlow v. New York and the subsequent incorporation doctrine, which protects fundamental rights from infringement by state governments.
