Exam 2: The 1st Amendment Flashcards
freedom of speech can be __(1)__, but it cannot be __(2)__
- regulated
- prohibited
What case involves the regulation of speech?
Schenck v. United States
What was the question asked during Schenck v United States
Whether their arrest violated the 1st amendment, freedom of speech?
(did their arrest violate the 1st amendment, freedom of speech?)
What was the ruling of Schenck v. United States?
Ruled that the arrest did NOT violate the 1st amendment.
- it was right for them to be arrested
- they should have not said what they said
What was established as a result of Schenck v. United States?
Clear and Present Danger test
what is the Clear and Present Danger test?
Speech should be regulated if it presents a clear, present danger
What is an example of the clear and present danger test?
- if someone shouts fire in a movie theater than they can get arrested.
What case established the clear and present danger test?
Schenck v. United States
What is the background of Schenck v. United States?
In 1919, a group of individuals passing out papers, telling people that the military is modern day slavery. In addition, in this point in time they are talking about the military drafts. These people were arrested under the espionage act.
What is the espionage act?
when someone betrays their country
What cases were formed regarding the first amendment and fighting words?
- Dennis v. United States
- Brandenburg v. Ohio
- Counterman v. Colorado
What was the question asked during Dennis v. United States?
Did the arrest violate the 1st amendment, freedom of speech?
What was the ruling of Dennis v. United States?
Ruled that the arrest DID NOT violate the 1st amendment
it was legal for them to be arrested
What is the background of Dennis v. United States?
Occurred during the time of the red scare. Basically, people were being arrested under the Smith act. The Smith Act prohibited the teaching of overthrowing the government.
What was the question asked during Brandenburg v. Ohio?
Did the arrest of Brandenburg violate the 1st amendment, freedom of speech?
What was the ruling of Brandenburg v. Ohio?
Ruled that there was a violation under the 1st amendment.
He should have not been arrested
What was the reasoning behind Brandenburg v. Ohio?
they stated that you can ONLY get in trouble for speech if it incites danger or illegal activity.
we have to prove that the speech caused harm
What is the background of Brandenburg v. United States?
Occurred during the civil rights era. Brandenburg is a nation leader for the KKK. Brandenburg gives a speech, with a lot of threatening language on what they are going to do to minorities. As soon as he finishes the speech, he is arrested under a syndicalism law. Used a lot of hypothetical language.
What is the Syndicalism law?
stated that you cannot advocate for terrorism political reforms
What was the conclusion/ ruling of the Counterman v. Colorado case?
People cannot get in trouble for their speech, as long as they did not know their speech was threatening.
if you don’t act on it then its not threatening
the guy being accused said that he did not know that his speech was threatening
What is symbolic speech?
nonverbal and/ or non-written forms of communication
What cases were formed regarding the first amendment and symbolic speech?
- Texas v. Johnson
- Snyder v. Phelps
What are examples of symbolic speech?
marches
sit-in
t-shirts
burning a flag
What was the question asked to the supreme court during Texas v. Johnson?
whether the arrest of Mr. Johnson violated the 1st amendment.
What was the ruling of Texas v. Johnson?
Ruled that the arrest was a violation of freedom of speech
He should have not been arrested
when is the only time you cannot get in trouble for damaging the US flag?
you cannot get in trouble if its during a protest
What is the background of Texas v. Johnson?
□ Mr. Johnson identified with the communist party. That year the Republican party was having a convention in Dallas. He goes to the convention and burns an American flag in protest. He is arrested flag desecration laws –> illegal to abuse the flag.
what is the flag desecration law?
it is illegal to abuse the flag
What was the question asked during Synder v. Phelps?
Whether the protest violated the 1st amendment.
What was the ruling of Synder v. Phelps?
The supreme court ruled that the protest were not a violation of the 1st amendment
What was the supreme courts justification for the ruling of synder v. phelps?
The church people were protesting in the correct manner, no matter how distasteful it may be.
What court case established prior restraint?
Near v. Minnesota
What court cases involve the 1st amendment, freedom of press?
- Near v. Minnesota
- New York Times v. United States
- Houston Community College system v. Wilson
- Branzburg v. Hayes
What was the question asked during Near v. Minnesota?
Was the gag order, issued by the govt, a violation of the 1st amendment, freedom of press?
What was the ruling of Near v. Minnesota?
Ruled that the gag order WAS A VIOLATION of freedom of press
established prior restraint