Important Court Cases APUSH

Peter Zenger Trial

Development of the freedom of the press and of speech.

Marbury v. Madison

Established the concept of judicial review.

Fletcher v. Peck

Estblished the sanctity of contract and a protection of private property (such as land).

McCulloch v Maryland

Created the principle of implied powers and federal supremacy.

Dartmouth College v. Woodward

Dartmouth College's charter was a contract protected by the Constitution (Contract Clause).

Gibbons v. Ogden

Concluded that the federal government had the right to regulate interstate commerce.

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia

It was ruled that the Cherokee (and Native Americans in general) were not a separate nation and therefore could not sue America.

Worcester v. Georgia

The Supreme Court & Marshall ruled Georgia's laws to violate the treaties the US and the Natives had created. This ruling was ignored by Jackson.

Commonwealth v. Hunt

Stated that unions were not inherently criminal, legalizing the American Union movement.

Scott v. Sanford (Dred Scott case)

Ruled that African Americans were not citizens and therefore could not sue, as well as that Congress could not prohibit slavery in certain states since slaves were property (violation of personal rights). This repealed the Missouri Compromise.

Slaughterhouse Cases

The Supreme Court ruled that the 14th amendment applied solely to rights regarding federal, not state, citizenship.

Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway Co v. US

Limited states' ability to regulate interstate commerce, prohibiting discriminatory railroad rates. Paved the way for the Interstate Commerce Act (1887)

US v. E.C. Knight (1895)

Narrowed the interpretation of the Sherman Antitrust Act, ruling that it did not apply to manufacturing.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Declared segregation to be "separate but equal."

Insular Cases (1901)

Responding to the acquisition of new territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, Philippines), the Supreme Court ruled that they were 'unincorporated terrritories' and that they did not have full citizenship rights.

Northern Securities Company v. US (1904)

Ruled the Northern Securities Company (a railroad monopoly) to have violated the Sherman Antitrust Act. Established the federal government's power to regulate large corporations.

Lochner v. New York (1905)

Ruled that it was unconstitutional to regulate the number of working hours in a day (Freedom of contract).

Muller v. Oregon (1908)

Limited the working hours of women to 10 hours in certain workplaces due to their anatomy and social role. Positively impacted the Progressive movement.

Schenck v. US (1919)

Established the "clear and present danger" test, saying that speech could be restricted if it created an immediate threat. Regarded Schneck's (a socialist) encouragement of men to resist the US draft.

Schechter v. US (1935)

Ruled the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) unconstitutional because it violated the non-delegation doctrine and the Commerce Clause.

Korematsu v. US (1944)

Ruled that Japanese internment camps were constitutional during WWII because it was a "military necessity."

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Ruled that criminal defendants have the right to an attorney, even if he/she cannot afford one. (6th Amendment)

Escobedo v. Illinois (1964)

Ruled that suspects have a right to counsel (lawyer/attorney) during police interrogation.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Upheld the 4th Amendment stating that citizens had protections against illegal searches and seizures.

Heart of Atlanta Motel v. US (1964)

Court found that hotels (which is apart of interstate commerce) did not have the right to discriminate against African Americans under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

The Supreme Court ruled that law enforcement must inform defendants of their constitutional rights, such as the right to remain silent and to an attorney.

Tinker v. DesMoines (1969)

Ruled in favor of students protesting the Vietnam war by wearing black armbands, stating that they were protected under the 1st Amendment, even in schools.

TLO v. New Jersey (1985)

Specified that schools do not have to meet the probable cause standard to perform searches without a warrant, and only needed reasonable suspicion.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Gave women the right to having an abortion under the 14th Amendment.

US v. Richard Nixon (1974)

The Court ordered President Nixon to deliver tape recordings/materials related to the Watergate scandal, asserting that evidence could not be withheld.

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978)

Allowed for race to be considered in admissions (Affirmative action programs), however ruled racial quotas to be unconstitutional.