Civics Supreme Court Cases

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Confirmed the federal government's supremacy over states and allowed implied powers.

Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

Declared African Americans were not citizens and Congress couldn’t ban slavery.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Upheld racial segregation under the “separate but equal” doctrine.

Korematsu v. United States (1944)

Allowed Japanese American internment camps during WWII for national security.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Ended racial segregation in public schools.

Cooper v. Aaron (1958)

States must follow Supreme Court decisions.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Illegally obtained evidence cannot be used in court.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Banned state-sponsored prayer in public schools.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Guaranteed the right to a lawyer for anyone accused of a felony.

New York Times v. Sullivan (1964)

Strengthened freedom of the press by requiring proof of actual malice in libel cases.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Requires police to inform people of their rights before interrogation.