Background Facts
What state had not redrawn its legislative districts since 1901?
Tennessee (Baker v. Carr)
What amendment's Equal Protection Clause is at the center of Brown v. Board?
The 14th amendment
What did the Court rule in Brown v. Board unanimously?
Segregated public schools are "inherently unequal" and violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment
Why did the Court say "separate" can never truly be "equal" in Brown v. Board?
Separate schools make Black students feel "inferior" and deny them equal educational opportunities
What was the dissenting opinion in Brown v. Board?
There was none; the decision was unanimous
What did Chicago's law do to handgun possession for private citizens?
It basically banned it (McDonald v. Chicago)
In Tinker v. Des Moines, what amendments were at issue?
The 1st and 14th Amendments
Who did the Supreme Court side with in Roe v. Wade and by what vote?
Roe 7-2
Why did the Court rule against Chicago's handgun ban in McDonald?
The 2nd Amendment is a fundamental right so it applies to the states too
What was the impact of Gideon v. Wainwright?
It had a large impact on how defendants are tried for felonies at the state level
What documentary did Citizens United make to influence the 2008 primaries?
Hillary: The Movie
In Schenck v. United States, what right did Schenck argue was being violated?
His First Amendment right to freedom of speech
What did the Court establish in Marbury v. Madison?
Judicial review the power to strike down unconstitutional laws
Why did the Court side with the Tinkers in Tinker v. Des Moines?
1st Amendment protections extend to students in public schools and authorities must prove the speech would seriously disrupt school function
What did the dissenters argue in Wisconsin v. Yoder?
Education was essential and the state should have been the priority over religious exemptions
What did Amish families refuse to do past 8th grade and why?
Send their kids to school because it conflicted with their religion (Wisconsin v. Yoder)
In Gideon v. Wainwright, what amendment's right to counsel was being questioned?
The 6th Amendment
What did the Court rule about the Second Amendment in McDonald v. Chicago?
It applies to state & local governments through selective incorporation under the 14th Amendment
Why did the Court rule against Congress in United States v. Lopez?
Carrying a gun in school doesn't specifically affect interstate commerce and the connection was too indirect
What was the impact of New York Times v. United States on press freedom?
It expanded "freedom of expression" by making it very difficult for the government to censor the press
What happened to Jane Roe even after the district court struck down Texas law?
She still couldn't get an abortion because the court didn't issue an injunction against enforcement (Roe v. Wade)
In New York Times v. United States, what was the government trying to justify?
Prior restraint stopping the Times and Washington Post from publishing classified documents
In Citizens United, what did the Court say about corporate political speech?
Corporations have free speech rights just like individuals so their political speech can't be restricted the same way ending in 5-4
Why did the Court in Engel v. Vitale say school-sponsored prayer was unconstitutional?
The government must stay neutral toward religion and school sponsored prayer promoted religion which violated the 1st Amendment
What did the dissent argue in United States v. Lopez?
They argued for broader/greater federal power and believed education impacts the economy so the law should have been upheld