us history court cases

marbury v madison

established supreme court has the power to deterime the constitutionality and validity of the acts of the other two branches of govnerment

mcCullouhg v maryland

cant tax federal bank

worcester v georgia

Samuel Worcester, a missionary, was arrested for living in Cherokee territory without a state license.

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Worcester, stating that Georgia’s laws had no authority within Cherokee territory.

cherokee nation v georgia

The Cherokee Nation sued Georgia to stop state laws that stripped them of their land and sovereignty.

The Supreme Court ruled that the Cherokee Nation was not a foreign nation but a "domestic dependent nation." The case was dismissed because the Cherokee had no standing to sue.

Dred Scott v. Sanford

• Background: Enslaved man scott sued for his freedom after living in a free state.

• Ruling: African Americans were not citizens and had no rights to sue; the federal government couldn’t ban slavery in territories.

• Impact: Deepened sectional tensions and pushed the U.S. closer to the Civil War.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Background: Homer Plessy, who was 1/8 Black, was arrested for sitting in a "whites-only" train car.

Ruling: Upheld racial segregation under the doctrine of "separate but equal."

Impact: Legitimized segregation and Jim Crow laws until it was overturned by Brown v. Board of Education.

Schenck v. United States

• Background: Charles Schenck was convicted under the Espionage Act for distributing leaflets opposing the draft during WWI.

• Ruling: Free speech can be limited during wartime if it poses a “clear and present danger.”

• Impact: Defined limits on the First Amendment.

Korematsu v. United States

Background: Fred Korematsu refused to comply with Japanese internment during WWII.

Ruling: Upheld internment as a wartime necessity.

Impact: Later criticized as a violation of civil liberties but not formally overturned until 2018.

Brown v Board of Ed

• Background: Linda Brown was denied entry to an all-white school, challenging segregation in education.

• Ruling: Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson, declaring that “separate but equal” is inherently unequal.

• Impact: Started the process of desegregating public schools; key victory for the Civil Rights Movement.

Mapp v. Ohio

• Background: Police found evidence during an illegal search of Dollree Mapp’s home.

• Ruling: Evidence obtained without a warrant is inadmissible in court (Exclusionary Rule).

• Impact: Strengthened Fourth Amendment protections against illegal searches and seizures.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Background: Clarence Gideon was denied a lawyer during his trial for burglary.

Ruling: Guaranteed the right to an attorney for criminal defendants under the Sixth Amendment.

Impact: Expanded rights of the accused.

Miranda v. Arizona

Background: Ernesto Miranda confessed to a crime without being informed of his rights.

Ruling: Established the Miranda Rights, requiring police to inform suspects of their rights to remain silent and have an attorney.

Impact: Strengthened Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Background: Students were suspended for wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War.

Ruling: Protected symbolic speech in schools, as long as it doesn’t disrupt the educational process.

Impact: Expanded First Amendment rights for students.

Roe v. Wade

Background: "Jane Roe" challenged Texas laws banning abortion.

Ruling: Recognized a woman’s right to choose an abortion under the right to privacy (14th Amendment).

Impact: Legalized abortion nationwide; remains highly debated.

United States v. Nixon (1974)

Background: President Nixon claimed executive privilege to withhold Watergate tapes.

Ruling: Executive privilege is not absolute; Nixon was ordered to release the tapes.

Impact: Reinforced the principle that no one, not even the president, is above the law.

Engel v. Vitale

Background: Public schools in New York had a voluntary prayer for students to say.

Ruling: The Supreme Court said school-led prayer is unconstitutional because it violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause.

Impact: No official prayer in public schools; reinforced separation of church and state.

Munn v. Illinois

Background: illinois regulated grain elevator rates to help farmers. Munn, a grain warehouse owner, challenged the law, saying it violated property rights.

Ruling: The Supreme Court upheld the state’s power to regulate private businesses that affect the public interest.

Impact: Allowed states to regulate businesses like railroads and grain elevators, supporting government control in the economy for public good.

New Jersey v. T.L.O

Background: A high school student (T.L.O.) was caught smoking, and school officials searched her purse without a warrant.

Ruling: The Supreme Court ruled that schools can search students’ belongings with reasonable suspicion, a lower standard than probable cause.

Impact: Allowed schools to maintain safety and order while balancing students’ rights.