US History Supreme Court Questions

Q1. The Supreme Court decisions in Marbury v. Madison (1803), McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), and Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) are similar in that each resulted in the (1) development of new political parties (2) admission of new slave states (3) strengthening of the power of the federal government (4) expansion of the rights of corporations

(3) strengthening of the power of the federal government

Q2. What is a major result of the Supreme Court decisions in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) and Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)? (1) Abuses of power by the president were prevented. (2) The powers of the federal government were expanded. (3) The powers of Congress over the territories were reduced. (4) Freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights were restricted.

(2) The powers of the federal government were expanded.

Q3. The decisions of the Supreme Court in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) and Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) are important because they (1) clarified constitutional limits on the right to bear arms (2) denied slaves the right to sue in federal courts (3) increased the power of the federal government over the states (4) upheld funding for the Erie Canal

(3) increased the power of the federal government over the states

Q4. The Supreme Court decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803) strengthened the constitutional principle of separation of powers by (1) defining the Court's role in impeachment trials (2) clarifying the president's authority to veto bills passed by Congress (3) denying states the right to sue the federal government (4) establishing the Court's right to review the constitutionality of federal laws

(4) establishing the Court's right to review the constitutionality of federal laws

Q5. Which power did the United States Supreme Court gain through the Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison? (1) judicial review (2) hearing appeals from lower federal courts (3) deciding cases involving two or more states (4) judicial independence through lifetime appointments

(1) judicial review

Q6. The establishment of judicial review in Marbury v. Madison (1803) gave federal courts the authority to (1) decide whether a law is constitutional (2) create lower courts (3) approve foreign treaties (4) appoint judges to lifetime terms

(1) decide whether a law is constitutional

Q7. The importance of the Supreme Court's ruling in Marbury v. Madison (1803) is that the Court (1) decided on the legality of state taxation of federal property (2) allowed for the influence of political parties in the passage of laws (3) refused to expand federal power over interstate trade (4) established the power of judicial review of federal laws

(4) established the power of judicial review of federal laws

Q8. The Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison (1803) strengthened the power of the judicial branch by (1) denying states the right to secede from the Union (2) providing the president the power to declare war (3) ruling that Congress has the right to create new territories (4) granting federal courts the power to declare laws unconstitutional

(4) granting federal courts the power to declare laws unconstitutional

Q9. Which power regarding the federal judiciary was established in Marbury v. Madison? (1) The president appoints all federal judges. (2) The Congress creates lower federal courts. (3) Members of the federal courts serve life terms. (4) Federal laws may be declared unconstitutional.

(4) Federal laws may be declared unconstitutional.

Q10. The Supreme Court decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803) increased the power of the federal courts by (1) increasing the number of judges (2) enabling the president to overturn lower-court decisions (3) establishing federal supremacy over state governments (4) establishing the principle of judicial review

(4) establishing the principle of judicial review

Q11. In Marbury v. Madison (1803), the Supreme Court established a precedent for (1) judicial review (2) the impeachment process for civil officers (3) lifetime offices for justices (4) treaty ratification procedures

(1) judicial review

Q12. The case of Marbury v. Madison (1803) established the principle that (1) the Supreme Court can declare federal laws unconstitutional (2) the states have power over the federal government (3) the president nominates federal judges (4) Congress can override presidential vetoes

(1) the Supreme Court can declare federal laws unconstitutional

Q13. In Gibbons v. Ogden (1824), the Supreme Court strengthened the federal government's role in the national economy by (1) outlawing the triangular trade (2) banning states from issuing money (3) upholding the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce (4) limiting the growth of corporations

(3) upholding the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce

Q14. What was one result of the Supreme Court's decision in Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)? (1) The power of the federal government over interstate commerce was strengthened. (2) The rights of accused individuals were expanded. (3) The power of the judicial branch was limited. (4) The Court declined to hear cases involving disputes between states.

(1) The power of the federal government over interstate commerce was strengthened.

Q15. Under Chief Justice John Marshall, the Supreme Court strengthened its authority by (1) applying judicial review to state and national laws (2) changing the operation of the electoral college (3) increasing the number of Justices on the Court (4) expanding the freedoms included in the first amendment

(1) applying judicial review to state and national laws

Q16. Many of the decisions made by the Supreme Court while John Marshall was Chief Justice led directly to (1) a reduction of federal influence in economic affairs (2) an increase in the power of the federal government over the states (3) a greater role for Congress in foreign policy (4) a limitation on slavery in the states

(2) an increase in the power of the federal government over the states

Q17. Which Supreme Court decision is most closely associated with the Trail of Tears? (1) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) (2) Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) (3) Worcester v. Georgia (1832) (4) Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)

(3) Worcester v. Georgia (1832)

Q18. What was one result of the Supreme Court's decision in Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)? (1) Sectional tension increased. (2) The slave trade was abolished. (3) Northern states were more willing to compromise. (4) Southern states immediately seceded from the Union.

(1) Sectional tension increased.

Q19. Northwest Ordinance, 1787 (Article 6, on slavery in the territories and fugitive labor claims): In which Supreme Court case did this provision of the Northwest Ordinance play an important part? (1) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) (2) Worcester v. Georgia (1832) (3) Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) (4) Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

(3) Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)

Q20. The Supreme Court decision in Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) was significant because it (1) allowed slavery in California (2) outlawed slavery in the Southern States (3) upheld the actions of the Underground Railroad (4) ruled that Congress could not ban slavery in the territories

(4) ruled that Congress could not ban slavery in the territories

Q21. Most Southern political leaders praised the Supreme Court decision in Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) because it (1) granted citizenship to all enslaved persons (2) upheld the principle of popular sovereignty (3) supported the right of a state to secede from the Union (4) protected the property rights of slave owners in the territories

(4) protected the property rights of slave owners in the territories

Q22. What was one result of the Supreme Court's decision in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)? (1) Public schools were integrated nationwide. (2) The 'separate but equal' doctrine was established. (3) Civil rights for African Americans were strengthened. (4) Northern states were forced to segregate public facilities.

(2) The 'separate but equal' doctrine was established.

Q23. The Supreme Court decision in the case of Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) affected civil rights in the United States by (1) ruling that segregated public schools were unconstitutional (2) rejecting the legal basis of Jim Crow laws (3) approving racial segregation in public facilities (4) strengthening the protections of the 14th amendment

(3) approving racial segregation in public facilities

Q24. The Supreme Court decision in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) affected African Americans by (1) granting voting rights (2) expanding civil rights (3) upholding racial segregation (4) guaranteeing equal wages

(3) upholding racial segregation

Q25. The 'separate but equal' doctrine established by the Supreme Court in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) upheld the legality of (1) woman's suffrage in state elections (2) the activities of the Ku Klux Klan (3) racial segregation in public facilities (4) restrictions on voting rights of African Americans

(3) racial segregation in public facilities

Q26. What was one result of the Supreme Court decision in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)? (1) Public schools were integrated nationwide. (2) Civil rights for African Americans were strengthened. (3) Northern states were forced to segregate public facilities. (4) The 'separate but equal' doctrine was established.

(4) The 'separate but equal' doctrine was established.

Q27. The importance of Northern Securities Co. v. United States (1904) is that the Supreme Court (1) used the Sherman Antitrust Act to break up a monopoly (2) ruled child labor laws unconstitutional (3) upheld the right of women to vote (4) established regulations for the New York Stock Exchange

(1) used the Sherman Antitrust Act to break up a monopoly

Q28. The United States Supreme Court in Schenck v. United States (1919) ruled that freedom of speech may be limited during national emergencies when the speech (1) threatens the principle of States rights (2) conflicts with national economic policies (3) interferes with a presidential campaign (4) presents a clear and present danger to the nation

(4) presents a clear and present danger to the nation

Q29. The 'clear and present danger' doctrine established in Schenck v. United States (1919) concerned the issue of (1) freedom of speech (2) the right to bear arms (3) the right to an attorney (4) separation of church and state

(1) freedom of speech

Q30. The Supreme Court decision in Schenck v. United States (1919) supported the position that during a national emergency (1) internal migration may be restricted (2) civil liberties of United States citizens may be limited (3) Congress may take control of the economy (4) minority groups may be segregated from the general population

(2) civil liberties of United States citizens may be limited

Q31. The Supreme Court decision in Schenck v. United States (1919) and the passage of the USA Patriot Act (2001) demonstrate the principle that the federal government can (1) guarantee citizens the right to bear arms (2) restrict the power of the president (3) limit individual rights in times of national emergency (4) expand the liberties protected by the Bill of Rights

(3) limit individual rights in times of national emergency

Q32. Which argument was used by the Supreme Court in reaching its 'clear and present danger' ruling in Schenck v. United States (1919)? (1) The military is under civilian control. (2) Powers are separated between the federal and state governments. (3) Constitutional rights are not absolute. (4) The Constitution provides for equal protection under the laws.

(3) Constitutional rights are not absolute.

Q33. In Schenck v. United States (1919), the Supreme Court decided that a 'clear and present danger' to the country allowed the federal government to (1) establish a peacetime draft (2) restrict first amendment rights (3) suspend habeas corpus (4) limit minority voting rights

(2) restrict first amendment rights

Q34. The Supreme Court in Korematsu v. United States (1944) upheld Executive Order 9066, which had authorized the (1) placement of women in combat roles (2) exclusion of Japanese Americans from the West Coast (3) limiting of freedom of speech during wartime (4) adoption of the military draft

(2) exclusion of Japanese Americans from the West Coast

Q35. In Korematsu v. United States (1944), the Supreme Court upheld the military order excluding Japanese Americans from the West Coast on the basis that the action was considered (1) a matter of national security (2) a necessity for the economy (3) an attempt to limit immigration from Japan (4) a way to protect Japanese Americans from anti-Japanese hysteria

(1) a matter of national security

Q36. In both Schenck v. United States (1919) and Korematsu v. United States (1944), the Supreme Court ruled that during wartime (1) civil liberties may be limited (2) women can fight in combat (3) drafting of noncitizens is permitted (4) sale of alcohol is illegal

(1) civil liberties may be limited

Q37. A goal of the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was to (1) eliminate discrimination in housing (2) implement job-training programs (3) increase equal rights for African Americans (4) end barriers to voting faced by African Americans

(3) increase equal rights for African Americans

Q38. One similarity between the laws being challenged in the United States Supreme Court cases of Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) and Korematsu v. United States (1944) is that (1) specific groups of people were being targeted based on race or ethnicity (2) state laws were declared unconstitutional (3) immigrants were relocated to prison camps (4) federal laws segregating public transportation were upheld

(1) specific groups of people were being targeted based on race or ethnicity

Q39. The Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Nixon (1974) upheld the principle that the president (1) is not above the law (2) can be allowed greater powers during national emergencies (3) must accept limits on his veto power (4) can freely dismiss members of his cabinet

(1) is not above the law

Q40. The decision of the Supreme Court in the case of United States v. Nixon (1974) stated that (1) President Richard Nixon as commander in chief could extend the Vietnam War into Cambodia (2) executive branch officials could be fired by the president without the Senate's approval (3) executive privilege did not allow the president to withhold recordings that were related to the Watergate affair (4) congressional approval of the War Powers Act of 1973 violated the separation of powers

(3) executive privilege did not allow the president to withhold recordings that were related to the Watergate affair

Q41. In New York Times v. United States (1971) and United States v. Nixon (1974), the Supreme Court placed limits on the (1) authority of federal judges (2) exercise of freedom of religion (3) powers of the president (4) right of Congress to declare war

(3) powers of the president

Q42. Which constitutional issue was tested by President Abraham Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus and the Supreme Court case Korematsu v. United States (1944)? (1) restriction of civil liberties during wartime (2) supremacy of federal laws over state laws (3) use of military tribunals during wartime (4) limits on antiwar protests

(1) restriction of civil liberties during wartime

Q43. Tinker v. Des Moines School District (1969); New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985); Vernonia School District v. Acton (1995). Which similar issue was addressed in these Supreme Court cases? (1) balancing the rights of students with the need of schools to maintain order (2) allowing principals to determine students' constitutional rights (3) denying public school districts the authority to allow prayer in schools (4) giving state legislatures the power to fund charter schools

(1) balancing the rights of students with the need of schools to maintain order

Q44. The decisions of the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Marshall and under Chief Justice Earl Warren demonstrate that (1) the Supreme Court can greatly influence economic and social change (2) chief justices have little influence over the rest of the Supreme Court (3) Supreme Court decisions must be approved by the president (4) states can overturn decisions of the Supreme Court

(1) the Supreme Court can greatly influence economic and social change

Q45. One way in which the Supreme Court decisions in Mapp v. Ohio (1961), Gideon v. Wainwright (1963), and Miranda v. Arizona (1966) are similar is that each resulted in (1) more legal searches without warrants (2) fewer gun control regulations (3) additional limitations on religious freedom (4) expanded rights for people accused of crimes

(4) expanded rights for people accused of crimes

Q46. One criticism of the Warren Court's decisions in Mapp v. Ohio (1961), Gideon v. Wainwright (1963), and Miranda v. Arizona (1966) is that the Supreme Court (1) limited police powers while expanding the rights of criminal defendants (2) denied the first amendment rights of antiwar protestors and the press (3) forced the desegregation of public transportation (4) restricted the rights of students in public schools

(1) limited police powers while expanding the rights of criminal defendants

Q47. The Supreme Court under Chief Justice Earl Warren (1953-1969) is considered one of the most liberal in United States history because it (1) worked effectively with lower courts (2) gained the overwhelming support of the American people (3) expanded civil rights and the rights of the accused (4) favored a strict interpretation of the Constitution

(3) expanded civil rights and the rights of the accused

Q48. The United States Supreme Court under Chief Justice Earl Warren (1953-1969) made several landmark decisions that (1) drew criticism for supporting States rights (2) weakened the power of the federal government (3) strengthened the authority of the police (4) increased the rights of individuals

(4) increased the rights of individuals

Q49. Mapp v. Ohio (1961); Gideon v. Wainwright (1963); Miranda v. Arizona (1966). These three Supreme Court decisions are similar in that each ruling (1) expanded the rights of the accused (2) reduced presidential powers (3) shifted more power to the states (4) limited campaign contributions

(1) expanded the rights of the accused

Q50. Which principle was dealt with in the Supreme Court decisions in Schenck v. United States (1919) and Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)? (1) States rights (2) voting rights (3) freedom of speech (4) freedom of assembly

(3) freedom of speech

Q51. The Supreme Court decisions in Mapp v. Ohio (1961) and Miranda v. Arizona (1966) directly expanded the rights of which group? (1) students with disabilities (2) women in the military (3) homeless Americans (4) persons accused of crimes

(4) persons accused of crimes

Q52. One way in which the Supreme Court decisions in Mapp v. Ohio (1961), Gideon v. Wainwright (1963), and Miranda v. Arizona (1966) are similar is that each decision (1) defined the rights of students in public schools (2) strengthened the role of the police in the arrest process (3) demonstrated the Court's disapproval of increasing crime rates (4) expanded the constitutional rights of persons accused of crimes

(4) expanded the constitutional rights of persons accused of crimes

Q53. In the 1960s, which issue was the focus of the Supreme Court decisions in Mapp v. Ohio, Gideon v. Wainwright, and Miranda v. Arizona? (1) freedom of the press (2) racial segregation (3) rights of the accused (4) interstate commerce

(3) rights of the accused

Q54. Which category most accurately completes the heading: 'Supreme Court Cases that Deal With ___' — A. Engel v. Vitale (1962) B. Tinker v. Des Moines School District (1969) C. New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985) D. Vernonia School District v. Acton (1995). (1) Right to Counsel (2) Student Rights (3) School Integration (4) Federal Funding of Education

(2) Student Rights

Q55. In New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985) and Vernonia School District v. Acton (1995), the United States Supreme Court ruled that (1) student rights may be limited in school (2) school locker searches are unconstitutional (3) public schools have the right to promote school prayer (4) schools must obtain a court order to implement drug testing

(1) student rights may be limited in school

Q56. The Supreme Court rulings in Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania, et al. v. Casey (1992) are similar in that both cases dealt with a woman's right to (1) privacy (2) medical insurance (3) equal pay for equal work (4) participate in school sports

(1) privacy

Q57. In which case did the United States Supreme Court rule that segregated public facilities were constitutional? (1) Worcester v. Georgia (2) Plessy v. Ferguson (3) Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (4) Miranda v. Arizona

(2) Plessy v. Ferguson

Q58. Which Supreme Court decision created the need for a constitutional amendment that would grant citizenship to formerly enslaved persons? (1) Marbury v. Madison (2) McCulloch v. Maryland (3) Worcester v. Georgia (4) Dred Scott v. Sanford

(4) Dred Scott v. Sanford

Q59. The decision in Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) and the decision in Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad v. Illinois (1886) addressed the issue of (1) congressional privileges (2) regulation of interstate commerce (3) state taxation of federal property (4) contract rights

(2) regulation of interstate commerce

Q60. Which pair of Supreme Court cases demonstrates that the Supreme Court can change an earlier decision? (1) Schenck v. United States and United States v. Nixon (2) Korematsu v. United States and Miranda v. Arizona (3) Gideon v. Wainwright and Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States (4) Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka

(4) Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka

Q61. Which Supreme Court case is accurately matched with the constitutional issue that was raised in that case? (1) Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka - right to legal counsel (2) Tinker v. Des Moines - protection against unreasonable search (3) Engel v. Vitale - right to trial by jury (4) Miranda v. Arizona - protection from self-incrimination

(4) Miranda v. Arizona - protection from self-incrimination

Q62. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, September 24, 1957, referred to a Supreme Court ruling that separate public educational facilities for the races are inherently unequal and that compulsory school segregation laws are unconstitutional. Which Supreme Court case is referred to in this quotation? (1) Dred Scott v. Sanford (2) Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (3) Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States (4) Tinker v. Des Moines School District

(2) Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka

Q63. Which action did President Dwight D. Eisenhower take to enforce this Supreme Court decision (Brown v. Board of Education)? (1) ordering the closing of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas (2) sending United States Army troops to enforce school integration (3) proposing legislation in support of school segregation (4) transferring white students to a new public high school

(2) sending United States Army troops to enforce school integration