Landmark Supreme Court Cases

Question 1

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Answer 1

It established the Supreme Court’s right to judicial review, which checks the Legislative and Executive branches.

Question 2

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

McCullouch v. Maryland (1819)

Answer 2

It established that Congress possesses “implied powers” to achieve aims enumerated in the Constitution and that the federal government has supremacy over the state government.

Question 3

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819)

Answer 3

It upheld the “sanctity of contracts.”

Question 4

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

Answer 4

It confirmed Congress’s right to regulate interstate commerce.

Question 5

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

Answer 5

It denied citizenship to both slaves and their descendants, therefore denying them protection under the Constitution.

Question 6

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Answer 6

It upheld racial segregation under the “separate but equal” doctrine.

Question 7

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Schenck v. the U.S. (1919)

Answer 7

It waived the First Amendment right to free speech when that speech would create a “clear and present danger.”

Question 8

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Answer 8

It overturned Plessy v. Ferguson, finding that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”

Question 9

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Answer 9

It established that evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment (no unreasonable searches, no seizures without warrants) cannot be used in a court of law.

Question 10

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Answer 10

It banned public prayers in schools.

Question 11

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Answer 11

It established the federal government’s right to rule on reapportionment and the fairness of voting districts.

Question 12

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Answer 12

It established the right to a lawyer and required state courts to assign lawyers to those who could not afford one.

Question 13

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Answer 13

It established that officers must inform those arrested of the consequences of answering officers’ questions.

Question 14

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Tinker v. Des Moines School District (1969)

Answer 14

It extended the First Amendment’s application to symbolic speech by students in public schools.

Question 15

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Answer 15

It established a woman’s right to an abortion.

Question 16

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

U.S. v. Nixon (1974)

Answer 16

It established that the president does not enjoy unlimited rights, even under the doctrine of “executive privilege.”

Question 17

Which case established the Supreme Court’s right to judicial review, which checks the Legislative and Executive branches?

Answer 17

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Question 18

Which case established that Congress possesses “implied powers” to achieve aims enumerated in the Constitution, and that federal government has supremacy over state government?

Answer 18

McCullouch v. Maryland (1819)

Question 19

Which Supreme Court case upheld the “sanctity of contracts”?

Answer 19

Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819)

Question 20

Which Supreme Court case confirmed Congress’s right to regulate interstate commerce?

Answer 20

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

Question 21

Which Supreme Court case denied citizenship to both slaves and their descendants, and therefore also denied them protection under the Constitution?

Answer 21

Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)

Question 22

Which Supreme Court case upheld racial segregation under the “separate but equal” doctrine?

Answer 22

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Question 23

Which Supreme Court case waived the First Amendment right to free speech when that speech would create a “clear and present danger”?

Answer 23

Schenk v. the U.S. (1919)

Question 24

Which Supreme Court case overturned Plessy v. Ferguson, finding that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal”?

Answer 24

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Question 25

Which Supreme Court case established that evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment cannot be used in a court of law?

Answer 25

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Question 26

Which Supreme Court case banned public prayers in schools?

Answer 26

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Question 27

Which Supreme Court case established the federal government’s right to rule on reapportionment and the fairness of voting districts?

Answer 27

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Question 28

Which Supreme Court case established the right to a lawyer and required state courts to assign lawyers to those who could not afford one?

Answer 28

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Question 29

Which Supreme Court case established that officers must inform those arrested of the consequences of answering officers’ questions?

Answer 29

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Question 30

Which Supreme Court case extended the First Amendment’s application to symbolic speech by students in public schools?

Answer 30

Tinker v. Des Moines School District (1969)

Question 31

Which Supreme Court case established a woman’s right to an abortion?

Answer 31

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Question 32

Which Supreme Court case established that the president does not enjoy unlimited rights, even under the doctrine of “executive privilege”?

Answer 32

U.S. v. Nixon (1974)