comp #4
🏛 Landmark Supreme Court Cases
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Facts: William Marbury sued for his commission as judge, denied by Secretary of State James Madison.
Principle: Separation of powers; Article III.
Ruling/Impact: Established judicial review → courts can strike down unconstitutional laws.
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Facts: Maryland tried to tax the Bank of the U.S.
Principle: Necessary and Proper Clause; Supremacy Clause.
Ruling/Impact: Congress has implied powers; states cannot tax federal government.
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)
Facts: Enslaved man sued for freedom after living in free states.
Principle: Citizenship, property rights.
Ruling/Impact: African Americans not citizens; slaves considered property; increased sectional conflict.
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
Facts: Homer Plessy challenged segregation on trains.
Principle: Equal Protection (14th Amendment).
Ruling/Impact: Upheld “separate but equal”; legalized segregation.
Schenck v. U.S. (1919)
Facts: Anti-draft leaflets during WWI.
Principle: 1st Amendment (speech).
Ruling/Impact: Speech can be limited during wartime if it poses a “clear and present danger.”
Korematsu v. United States (1944)
Facts: Japanese-American internment during WWII challenged.
Principle: Civil liberties vs. national security.
Ruling/Impact: Upheld internment as wartime necessity (later criticized, not overturned until 2018).
Brown v. Board (1954)
Facts: Challenge to segregated schools.
Principle: Equal Protection (14th Amendment).
Ruling/Impact: Overturned Plessy; segregation in schools is unconstitutional.
Mapp v. Ohio (1961)
Facts: Evidence obtained illegally used in trial.
Principle: 4th Amendment (search & seizure).
Ruling/Impact: Exclusionary rule → illegally obtained evidence cannot be used in court.
Baker v. Carr (1962)
Facts: Tennessee legislative districts unequal in population.
Principle: Equal protection (representation).
Ruling/Impact: Established “one person, one vote.”
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Facts: School-led prayer in public schools.
Principle: 1st Amendment (Establishment Clause).
Ruling/Impact: School prayer unconstitutional.
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
Facts: Poor defendant denied lawyer in Florida trial.
Principle: 6th Amendment (right to counsel).
Ruling/Impact: States must provide attorneys to defendants who cannot afford one.
Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
Facts: Suspect confessed without being informed of rights.
Principle: 5th Amendment (self-incrimination).
Ruling/Impact: Miranda rights required before police questioning.
Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
Facts: Students suspended for wearing armbands protesting Vietnam War.
Principle: 1st Amendment (symbolic speech).
Ruling/Impact: Students retain free speech in school if not disruptive.
New York Times v. United States (1971)
Facts: Pentagon Papers leaked, Nixon tried to block publication.
Principle: 1st Amendment (press).
Ruling/Impact: Government cannot impose prior restraint unless national security at immediate risk.
Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
Facts: Amish parents refused to send children to high school.
Principle: 1st Amendment (free exercise of religion).
Ruling/Impact: Religious freedom outweighed state education requirement.
Roe v. Wade (1973)
Facts: Texas law banned abortions.
Principle: Right to privacy (implied from 14th Amendment).
Ruling/Impact: Legalized abortion nationwide (overturned in 2022).
United States v. Nixon (1974)
Facts: Nixon refused to release Watergate tapes.
Principle: Separation of powers; executive privilege.
Ruling/Impact: President not above law; must comply with judicial orders.
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978)
Facts: White applicant challenged affirmative action quota.
Principle: Equal Protection Clause.
Ruling/Impact: Race can be a factor in admissions, but quotas unconstitutional.
Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)
Facts: School censored student newspaper articles.
Principle: 1st Amendment (press in schools).
Ruling/Impact: Schools can limit student press if tied to educational mission.
Texas v. Johnson (1989)
Facts: Burning American flag as protest.
Principle: 1st Amendment (symbolic speech).
Ruling/Impact: Flag burning is protected free speech.
Shaw v. Reno (1993)
Facts: Racial gerrymandering in North Carolina.
Principle: Equal Protection Clause.
Ruling/Impact: Racial gerrymandering unconstitutional.
U.S. v. Lopez (1995)
Facts: Student carried gun to school; federal law banned guns in school zones.
Principle: Commerce Clause.
Ruling/Impact: Limited Congress’s power; law struck down.
Bush v. Gore (2000)
Facts: Dispute over Florida ballot recount in 2000 election.
Principle: Equal Protection (ballot counting).
Ruling/Impact: Stopped recount; Bush declared winner.
District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)
Facts: D.C. handgun ban challenged.
Principle: 2nd Amendment.
Ruling/Impact: Recognized individual right to own firearms.
McDonald v. Chicago (2010)
Facts: Chicago handgun ban challenged.
Principle: 2nd Amendment + 14th (incorporation).
Ruling/Impact: Applied 2nd Amendment to states.
Citizens United v. FEC (2010)
Facts: Corporate spending in elections restricted.
Principle: 1st Amendment (speech).
Ruling/Impact: Corporations/unions can spend unlimited money on political speech.
📜 Landmark Legislation
Compromise of 1850: Balanced free/slave states; included Fugitive Slave Act.
Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854): Popular sovereignty on slavery; led to conflict.
Homestead Act (1862): Free land to settlers; encouraged westward expansion.
Pendleton Act (1883): Civil service reform; ended patronage/spoils system.
Civil Rights Acts (various): Expanded protections against discrimination (esp. 1964).
Alien and Sedition Acts (1798): Limited free speech/press; controversial.
USA PATRIOT Act (2001): Expanded government surveillance after 9/11.
New Deal Acts (1930s): Expanded government role in economy/social programs.
Great Society Acts (1960s): Medicare, Medicaid, anti-poverty programs.
Affordable Care Act (2010): Expanded healthcare coverage.
Clean Air Act (1970): Environmental protection.
Tonkin Gulf Resolution (1964): Expanded presidential war powers in Vietnam.
🖋 Landmark Executive Actions
Louisiana Purchase (1803): Expanded U.S. territory.
Adams-Onís Treaty (1821): U.S. acquired Florida.
Suspension of Habeas Corpus (Lincoln, Civil War): Limited rights during war.
Japanese Internment (FDR, WWII): Civil liberties restricted for national security.
Executive Order 9981 (1948, Truman): Desegregated military.
Affirmative Action Orders: Expanded minority opportunities in jobs/education.
“Bully pulpit” examples: FDR New Deal fireside chats, Reagan tax reforms, Obama healthcare reform advocacy.
Presidential War Powers: Examples include undeclared wars and military actions without formal congressional declaration.