Landmark Supreme Court Cases

Question 1

Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)

Answer 1

African Americans were not American citizens and could not sue in federal court, and Congress lacked power to ban slavery in the U.S. territories.

Question 2

Near v. Minnesota (1931)

Answer 2

States were barred from using prior restraint (outlawing something before it has even happened) to discourage the publication of material except during wartime or in the cases of obscenity or incitement to violence

Question 3

West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette (1943)

Answer 3

Held that the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment protected students from being forced to salute the American flag and say the Pledge of Allegiance in school.

Question 4

Korematsu v. US (1944)

Answer 4

constitutionality of Executive Order 9066, which ordered Japanese Americans into internment camps during World War II regardless of citizenship

Question 5

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Answer 5

Decided that evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment may not be used in state law criminal prosecutions in state

Question 6

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Answer 6

Ruled the Constitution requires states to provide defense attorneys to criminal defendants

Question 7

Escobedo v. Illinois (1964)

Answer 7

Defendants have the right to a quick trial by a jury. Further, the trial must take place in the area where the alleged crime was committed).

Question 8

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Answer 8

Mandated that all suspects informed of their due process rights before questioning by police

Question 9

Tinker v. Des Moines School District (1969)

Answer 9

defined the constitutional rights of students in U.S. public schools. Defined wearing of black armbands in school in protest against the Vietnam War as “symbolic speech” protected by the 1st Amendment

Question 10

NY Times v. US (1971)

Answer 10

Allowed that under the 1st Amendment the publication of the controversial Pentagon Papers during the Vietnam War.

Question 11

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Answer 11

Legalized abortion so long as a fetus is not viable (able to survive outside the womb)

Question 12

Bakke v. Regents of University of California (1978)

Answer 12

upheld affirmative action, allowing race to be one of several factors in college admission policy.

Question 13

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

Answer 13

Ruled that freedom of press does not extend to student publications that might be construed as sponsored by the school.