Poli-Sci

Background of Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)

Dred Scott, slave, sued for his freedom after living on free territories.

Importance of Dred Scott Case

denied African Americans citizenship and escalated tensions leading to civil war.

What the Dred Scott case demonstrated

The Supreme Courts role in entrenching slavery and racial inequality.

Court ruling of Dred Scott

Court ruled African Americans were not citizens, could not sue, and declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional.

Background: Plessy v Ferguson (1896)

Homer Plessy, a mixed raced man, challenged Louisianas segregation law after being removed from a "white only" train car.

Importance of Plessy v. Ferguson

upheld racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine.

What Plessy v. Ferguson demonstrated

institutionalized racial discrimination and legitimized segregation laws.

Court ruling of Plessy v Ferguson

Court ruled segregation was constitutional as long as facilities were equal.

Background of Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

African American families challenged segregation in public schools as a violation of the 14th amendment.

Importance of Brown v. Board of Education

Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and ended racial segregation in public schools.

What Brown v. Board of Education demonstrated

Showed the judiciary's growing role in addressing racial inequality.

court ruling on brown v board of education

Court ruled segregation in education was unequal, violating the equal protection clause.

Background of the Secession of Quebec (1998)

Canadian government sought clarity on whether Quebec could unilaterally secede after 2 referendums.

Importance of the secession of Quebec

provided a legal framework for potential secession in Canada.

What the secession of Quebec demonstrated

balanced democratic principles with constitutional legality, emphasizing negotiation.

Ruling on the Secession of Quebec

Supreme court ruled unilateral secession was unconstitutional, but negotiation would be required if supported by a clear majority.

Background of R v Sparrow (1990)

Ronald Sparrow, a member of Musqueam Nation, was charged for using a fishing net longer than allowed by law.

Importance of R v Sparrow

the first major interpretation of section 35 of canadas constitution regarding indigenous rights.

What R v Sparrow Demonstrated

affirmed the protection of indigenous rights and set limits on government infringement.

The ruling on R v Sparrow

The court upheld Sparrows rights, stating indigenous rights are protected unless infringement serves compelling purpose.

Background of R v Van der Peet (1996)

Dorothy Van der Peet, of sto:lo Nation, was charged for selling fish contrary to regulations.

Importance of R v Van der Peet

Established a test for identifying indigenous rights under section 35.

What R v Van der Peet demonstrated

emphasized the need for practices to be integral to indigenous cultures for protection.

Court ruling on R v Van der Peet

Court ruled indigenous rights must be rooted in pre-contact practices that are central to their culture.

Background of Delgamuukw v British Columbia (1997)

The Gitxsan and Wet'suwet'en Nations claimed Aboriginal title over traditional territories in British Columbia.

Importance of Delgamuukw v British Columbia

defined Aboriginal Title and affirmed the validity of oral histories in court.

What Delgamuukw v British Columbia demonstrated

The recognition of collective land rights in Canadian law.

The ruling of Delgamuukw v British Columbia

Court ruled Aboriginal title is a unique land right and cannot be extinguished without proper consent.

Background of Tsilhqot'in Nation v British Columbia (2014)

Tsilhqot'in Nation sought recognition id title over its traditional territory after logging disputes.

Importance of Tsilhqot'in Nation v British Columbia

The first case to grant Aboriginal title to specific lands in Canada.

What Tsilhqot'in Natiok v British Columbia demonstrated

It showed stronger legal recognition of indigenous land rights.

Ruling of Tsilhqot'in Nation v British Columbia

Court recognized Tsilhqot'in title and ruled governments must justify infringements on indigenous lands.

Background: Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)

Estelle Griswold challenged a Connecticut law banning contraception, arguing it violated marital privacy.

Importance of Griswold v. Connecticut

established a constitutional right to privacy regarding contraception use.

What Griswold v Connecticut demonstrated

highlighted implied rights under the constitution.

Court ruling on Griswold v Connecticut

Court struck down the law, citing the right to privacy within marital relationship.

Background of Roe v. Wade (1973)

"Jane Roe" challenged Texas laws banning most abortions.

Importance of Roe v. Wade

Recognized a constitutional right to abortion.

What Roe v Wade demonstrated

judicial protection of reproductive rights under privacy doctrines.

Court ruling on Roe v Wade

Court ruled that the right to privacy includes a women's decision to have an abortion, balancing it against state interests.

Background of Dobbs v Jackson Wonens Health Organization (2022)

A mississippi law banning most abortions after 15 weeks was challenged.

importance of Dobbs vs Jackson

It overturned Roe v Wade and returned abortion regulation to the states.

What Dobbs v Jackson demonstrated

a shift in the courts interpretation of constitutional rights.

Court ruling of Dobbs v Jackson

the court upheld the Mississippi law and ruled that abortion is not a constitutional right.

background of R. v. Morgentaler (1988)

Dr Henry Morgentaler challenged Canadas restrictive abortion laws.

Importance of R v Morgentaler

It decriminalized abortion in Canada.

What R v Morgentaler demonstrated

affirmed bodily autonomy and struck down restrictive laws as unconstitutional

Ruling on R v Morgentaler

supreme court ruled that criminalizing abortion violated a woman's right to security under the charter.

Background of Romer v Evans (1996)

Colorado passed a law prohibiting protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Importance of Romer v Evans

it struck down laws that discriminated against LGBTQ+ individuals.

What Romer v Evans demonstrated

the courts recognition of equal protection for LGBTQ+ rights.

Court ruling in Romer v Evans

Court ruled the law unconstitutional as it violated the equal protection clause.

Background of Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)

same sex couples challenged state bans on marriage equality

importance of obergefell v hodges

legalized same sex marriage nationwide in the US.

what Obergefell v. Hodges demonstrated

the courts commitment to equal rights under the 14th amendment.

Court ruling in Obergefell v Hodges

Court ruled that marriage is a funded right and denying it to same-sex couples violates equal protection and due process.

Background of Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

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

Importance of Miranda v. Arizona

established "Miranda Rights" to inform individuals of their rights during police investigations.

What Miranda v Arizona demonstrated

highlighted the need to protect against self-incrimination and ensure fair legal processes

Court Ruling of Miranda v. Arizona

Court ruled that suspects must be informed of their rights to remain silent and their rights to an attorney.