Landmark Decisions

Judiciary Act of 1789

Established the U.S. federal court system, including six Supreme Court Justices and circuit and district courts.

Alien and Sedition Act of 1798

Extended naturalization from five to fourteen years and allowed the President to deport dangerous non-citizens.

Alien Enemies Act

Allowed for the apprehension of resident aliens and criminalized dissent against the federal government.

Louisiana Purchase

Raised constitutional debates about presidential powers and led to significant explorations like the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Missouri Compromise

Aimed to maintain a balance between slave and free states by designating Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state.

Adams-Onís Treaty

Defined the boundaries of the Louisiana Purchase, with Spain ceding Florida and renouncing claims to the Pacific Northwest.

Indian Removal Act of 1830

Forced Native Americans to relocate west of the Mississippi, leading to the Trail of Tears.

12th Amendment

Improved the Electoral College by allowing separate ballots for President and Vice President.

McCulloch v Maryland

Supreme Court case that upheld federal authority to establish a bank and ruled state taxes on it unconstitutional.

Marbury v Madison

Landmark case that empowered the Supreme Court to interpret the constitutionality of laws.

Gibbons v Ogden

Reinforced federal supremacy over state laws in regulating commerce.

13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments

Established citizenship rights and abolished slavery, overturning earlier court rulings like Dred Scott.

Emancipation Proclamation

Issued by Lincoln to free enslaved people in rebellious states during the Civil War.

Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act

Aimed to reduce corruption in federal jobs through merit-based hiring.

'Separate but equal'

1896 Supreme Court ruling that legitimized segregation and led to discriminatory practices.

Brown v Board education

Overturned 'separate but equal' laws, highlighting the struggle against discrimination.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Introduced popular sovereignty, allowing residents to choose between free or slave states, leading to conflict.

Homestead Act of 1862

Encouraged westward expansion by offering land to settlers, often resulting in conflicts over occupied lands.

Treaty of Paris 1898

Ended the Spanish-American War, transferring territories from Spain to the U.S.

Chinese Exclusion Act

Legislation that restricted Chinese immigration, reflecting economic competition perceptions.

Selective Service Act of 1917

Mandated young men to register for the draft during World War I.

Espionage Act and Sedition Act

Legislation to curb dissent and ensure loyalty during World War I, imposing restrictions on free speech.

New Deal

Franklin D. Roosevelt's response to the Great Depression, implementing programs to create jobs and support farmers.

Japanese American internment

Resulted from executive orders during World War II, leading to significant rights violations.

Amendment 24

Eliminated poll taxes, ensuring easier access to voting, particularly for Black citizens.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Prohibited discrimination and aimed to reduce poverty and improve education and healthcare.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Expanded presidential powers without a formal declaration of war, raising constitutional questions.

September 11 attacks

Led to increased security measures at the expense of some civil liberties.

Patriot Act

Expanded law enforcement's surveillance capabilities post-9/11, allowing warrantless searches under terrorism pretexts.

Citizens United v FEC

Supreme Court case that affirmed corporations' rights to contribute financially to political campaigns.