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What was the context of the case Marbury v. Madison (1803)?
The case arose when William Marbury petitioned the Supreme Court to compel Secretary of State James Madison to deliver his commission as a justice of the peace.
What question was addressed in Marbury v. Madison?
Does an individual have the right to petition the Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus to compel a government official to act?
What was the decision in Marbury v. Madison?
The Supreme Court ruled that while Marbury was entitled to his commission, the Court could not issue a writ of mandamus because the section of the Judiciary Act of 1789 that granted the Supreme Court the power to do so was unconstitutional.
What constitutional provisions are relevant to Marbury v. Madison?
The case involved Article III of the Constitution, which establishes the judicial branch and the authority of the Supreme Court.
What was the context of the case Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?
The case challenged the legality of racial segregation in public schools.
What question was addressed in Brown v. Board of Education?
Does racial segregation in public schools violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?
What was the decision in Brown v. Board of Education?
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson's separate but equal doctrine.
What constitutional provisions are relevant to Brown v. Board of Education?
The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
What was the context of the case Roe v. Wade (1973)?
The case involved a Texas law that criminalized most abortions, bringing the right to privacy under scrutiny.
What question was addressed in Roe v. Wade?
Does the Constitution recognize a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy by abortion?
What was the decision in Roe v. Wade?
The Supreme Court ruled that the right to privacy includes a woman's right to choose to have an abortion, thus striking down many state laws prohibiting it.
What constitutional provisions are relevant to Roe v. Wade?
The right to privacy derived from the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
What was the context of the case Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)?
The case involved Clarence Earl Gideon, who was charged with a felony and could not afford an attorney, leading him to represent himself.
What question was addressed in Gideon v. Wainwright?
Does the Sixth Amendment's right to counsel extend to state courts?
What was the decision in Gideon v. Wainwright?
The Supreme Court ruled that the right to counsel is a fundamental right and is applicable to state courts through the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause.
What constitutional provisions are relevant to Gideon v. Wainwright?
The Sixth Amendment, which guarantees the right to counsel, and the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause.
What was the context of the case Loving v. Virginia (1967)?
The case challenged Virginia's law prohibiting interracial marriage.
What question was addressed in Loving v. Virginia?
Does the state's ban on interracial marriage violate the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment?
What was the decision in Loving v. Virginia?
The Supreme Court ruled that laws prohibiting interracial marriage are unconstitutional as they violate the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses.
What constitutional provisions are relevant to Loving v. Virginia?
The Equal Protection Clause and the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
What was the context of the case Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)?
The case considered whether same-sex marriage bans violated the Constitution.
What question was addressed in Obergefell v. Hodges?
Does the Constitution grant a right to same-sex marriage, and does a state ban on same-sex marriage violate the Fourteenth Amendment?
What was the decision in Obergefell v. Hodges?
The Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right protected by the Fourteenth Amendment.
What constitutional provisions are relevant to Obergefell v. Hodges?
The Equal Protection Clause and the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
What was the context of the case District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)?
The case challenged the constitutionality of a Washington D.C. handgun ban.
What question was addressed in District of Columbia v. Heller?
Does the Second Amendment protect an individual's right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia?
What was the decision in District of Columbia v. Heller?
The Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to possess a firearm for lawful purposes, such as self-defense.
What constitutional provisions are relevant to District of Columbia v. Heller?
The Second Amendment, which protects the right to keep and bear arms.
What was the context of the case United States v. Nixon (1974)?
The case arose from the Watergate scandal and President Nixon's claim of executive privilege.
What question was addressed in United States v. Nixon?
Is the President's right to confidentiality and executive privilege absolute?
What was the decision in United States v. Nixon?
The Supreme Court ruled that the President is not above the law and must comply with subpoenas, thus limiting the scope of executive privilege.
What constitutional provisions are relevant to United States v. Nixon?
Article II of the Constitution and the principle of judicial review.
What is the purpose of the preamble of the Constitution?
To introduce the Constitution and outline its fundamental principles and purposes.
What does the term 'checks and balances' refer to?
A system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful by giving each branch some measure of influence over the other branches.
What is the significance of the Separation of Powers?
Divides government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.
What does the term 'bicameral legislature' mean?
A legislature consisting of two houses, typically a lower house (House of Representatives) and an upper house (Senate).
What are concurrent powers?
Powers that are shared by both the national and state governments.
What are reserved powers?
Powers that are not granted to the national government and are reserved for the states.
What is the significance of the Electoral College?
A body of electors established by the Constitution that formally elects the President and Vice President of the United States.
What does impeachment mean?
The process by which a sitting President or other federal officials can be charged with misconduct, leading to removal from office.
What does the term 'judicial review' refer to?
The power of courts to determine the constitutionality of legislative acts and executive actions.
What is the importance of the Equal Protection Clause?
It mandates that individuals in similar situations be treated equally by the law.
What is meant by 'due process'?
The legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person, ensuring fair treatment.
What are political parties?
Groups of people with similar political ideologies that seek to influence government policy and conduct elections.
What does the term 'lobbying' refer to?
The act of attempting to influence the decisions of government officials, especially legislators.
What role does the Supreme Court play in the American government?
It serves as the highest court in the federal judiciary, interpreting laws and ensuring justice.
What is the significance of the 19th Amendment?
It granted women the right to vote, marking a significant milestone in the women's suffrage movement.
What is voter suppression?
Strategies used to influence the outcome of elections by discouraging or preventing specific groups from voting.
