Supreme Court Cases and Constitutional Principles Regents Review

Flashcards on Supreme Court Cases and Constitutional Principles for Regents Review

What is the overall effect of Chief Justice John Marshall's Supreme Court cases?

Strengthen the power of the federal government over the states.

What is the power of Judicial Review, established in Marbury v. Madison?

The Supreme Court can review laws and actions of the federal or state governments and declare them unconstitutional if they violate the Constitution.

What was the significance of the Supreme Court's decision in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?

It upheld the federal power to establish a national bank as an implied power through the elastic clause, asserting federal authority's superiority over the states.

What was the effect of the Supreme Court's ruling in Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)?

It strengthened the federal government's power to regulate interstate commerce.

What did the Supreme Court rule in Worcester v. Georgia (1835) regarding the Cherokee Nation?

The Cherokee Nation is a sovereign nation, and the federal government has authority over Indian affairs.

What was the Supreme Court's ruling in Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857), and what were its implications?

Slaves are property, African Americans aren't citizens, and slaves could be brought anywhere, furthering the divide over slavery.

What was the impact of the Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) Supreme Court decision?

It strengthened Jim Crow laws by stating they were constitutional as long as facilities were 'separate but equal'.

What was the key ruling in Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?

Separate but equal is unconstitutional.

What did the Supreme Court decide in Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)?

Made birth control legal, giving women more economic and social economy and reproductive rights.

What key right was established in Roe v. Wade (1973)?

Gives women the right to have an abortion.

What did the Supreme Court decide in Engel v. Vitale (1962)?

No more school prayer.

What did the Supreme Court decide in Mapp v. Ohio (1961)?

Police cannot use illegally obtained evidence (exclusionary rule).

What key right was established in Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)?

Defendants that are poor must be given a lawyer (public defender) if they’re facing jail time.

What key right was established in Escobedo v. Illinois (1964)?

If you are being questioned by police you have the right to a lawyer.

What key right was established in Miranda v. Arizona (1966)?

Police must inform you of your rights at the time of the arrest. Gives more rights to people accused of crimes.

What did the Supreme Court decide in Schenk v. US (1919)?

Speech that causes a “clear and present danger” can be prohibited by the government.

What did the Supreme Court decide in Korematsu v. US (1944)?

Government is allowed to violate civil rights during a war.

What did the Supreme Court decide in Tinker v DesMoines (1969)?

Students were allowed to protest (freedom of expression).

What was the central legal question in New Jersey v. TLO (1985)?

The court was asked to determine if the 'exclusionary rule' applied to school officials and whether the evidence was obtained illegally and was therefore void.

What are some key concepts conveyed in the Preamble to the Constitution?

Popular sovereignty, a more perfect federal union, and promotion of the general welfare.

What were some important compromises made during the creation of the Constitution?

Great Compromise and 3/5ths Compromise.

What parts of the Constitution strengthen Federal Powers?

Article I Section 8 and Supremacy Clause

What parts of the Constitution limit Federal Powers?

Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Federalism.

What are some elements of flexibility in the Constitution?

Elastic Clause, Amendment Process, Unwritten Constitution.