Landmark Cases Review

Question 1

Built upon the right of privacy to establish first trimester abortion rights for women in all 50 states.

Answer 1

Roe v Wade

Question 2

This Pentagon Papers case set a high standard for prior restraint and ruled that the government in this instance did not have grounds to stop the publication of the papers

Answer 2

NYT v United States

Question 3

Established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of legislative and executive acts

Answer 3

Marbury v Madison

Question 4

Established the 6th amendment standard that all people are entitled to an attorney even if they cannot afford one.

Answer 4

Gideon v Wainwright

Question 5

Ruled that legislative redistricting must be conscious of race and be in compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965

Answer 5

Shaw v Reno

Question 6

Prohibited the government from restricting independent political expenditures by corporations and labor unions by virtue of the 1st amendment

Answer 6

Citizens United v FEC

Question 7

This case effectively incorporated the Second Amendment to the states.

Answer 7

McDonald v Chicago

Question 8

The court upheld student speech rights and declared that school officials must have constitutionally valid reasons for limiting student speech.

Answer 8

Tinker v Des Moines

Question 9

Ruled that race-based segregation in public schools violates the equal protection clause. The case overturned the “separate but equal” doctrine and declared separate to be inherently unequal.

Answer 9

Brown v Board

Question 10

Established the judiciary’s ability to rule on issues of legislative apportionment and opened the door to equal protection challenges to redistricting.

Answer 10

Baker v Carr

Question 11

Prohibited state-sponsored recitation of prayer in public schools on the grounds that it violated the Establishment Clause.

Answer 11

Engel v Vitale

Question 12

Limited Congress’ power to use the commerce clause to make possession of a gun in a school zone a federal crime.

Answer 12

U.S. v Lopez

Question 13

The Court ruled that compelling Amish students to attend school past the 8th grade violates their religious liberties under the free exercise clause.

Answer 13

Wisconsin v Yoder

Question 14

Established the “clear and present danger” test and stated that such forms of speech are not protected by the First Amendment.

Answer 14

Schneck v United States

Question 15

Ruled that Congress had the power to establish a national bank under the necessary and proper clause and that states did not have the power to tax a federal institution.

Answer 15

McCulloch v Maryland