Case Rulings
In what case did the Supreme Court rule that a school-led prayer violated the First Amendment, citing the importance of separating government and religion.
Engel v. Vitale
What was the significance of McDonald vs. Chicago?
Confirmed that the right to bear arms applies to local and state governments.
Explain what led up to the Wisconsin vs. Yoder case.
In 1971, the state of Wisconsin fined three Amish families for refusing to send their children to school beyond the eighth grade. Wisconsin law stipulated that all children had to attend school until age 16, but the Yoder, Miller, and Yutzy families believed that further education for their children would damage their religious beliefs. This infringed upon the 1st amendment.
What amendment did the McDonald vs. Chicago case involve?
The 2nd Amendment - Right to bear arms.
In what case did the Supreme Court found that this injunction against publication was a violation of the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of the press.
New York Times vs. US
What was the significance of Gideon vs. Wainwright?
A precedent was set guaranteeing the right to legal counsel for criminal defendants in federal and state courts.
Explain what led up to Tinker vs. Des Moines case.
John and Mary Beth Tinker of Des Moines, Iowa, wore black armbands to their public school as a symbol of protest against American involvement in the Vietnam War. When school authorities asked that the Tinkers remove their armbands, they refused and were subsequently suspended. The Supreme Court decided that the Tinkers had the right to wear the armbands, with Justice Abe Fortas stating that no one expects students to “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.”
What amendment did the New York Times Vs. US case involve?
First Amendment, it guarantees of freedom of the press.
In what case did the court ruled that the Wisconsin law violated a family's right to freely exercise their religious beliefs.
Wisconsin vs. Yoder
What was the significance of Tinker vs. Des Moines?
It ensured students' rights to free speech in public schools.
Explain what led up to the New York Times vs. US case.
In 1971, the administration of President Richard Nixon attempted to suppress the publication of a top-secret history of US military involvement in Vietnam, claiming that its publication endangered national security.
What amendment did the Gideon vs. Wainwright case involve?
The case deals with the 6th amendment- grants citizens the right to a jury composed of impartial members drawn from the local community.
In what case did the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution of the United States generally protected abortion rights under the 14th amendment.
Roe Vs. Wade
What was the significance of Engel vs. Vitale?
This case determined the importance of separating religion and government, and established the precedent that public schools shouldn’t recite prayers.
Explain what led up to the Schneck vs. US case.
Charles Schenck and Elizabeth Baer were convicted under the 1917 Espionage Act for mailing leaflets encouraging men to resist the military draft. They appealed to the Supreme Court on the grounds that the conviction violated their free speech rights.
What amendment did the Engel vs. Vitale case involve?
Dealt with the first amendment, which implies the separation of church and state,
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”
In what case did the Supreme Court rule that the Second Amendment right to bear arms is applicable to state and local governments through the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause.
McDonald vs. Chicago
What was the significance of Wisconsin vs. Yoder?
Established the precedent that an individual's right to exercise their religious beliefs under the First Amendment takes priority over the state's interests in compulsory education.
Explain what led up to the Roe vs. Wade case.
Jane Roe was an unmarried and pregnant Texas resident in 1970. Texas law made it a felony to abort a fetus unless “on medical advice for the purpose of saving the life of the mother.” Roe filed suit against Wade, the district attorney of Dallas County, contesting the statue on the grounds that it violated the guarantee of personal liberty and the right to privacy implicitly guaranteed in the First, Fourth, Fifth, Ninth, and 14th Amendments. In deciding for Roe, the Supreme Court invalidated any state laws that prohibited first trimester abortions.
What amendment did the Wisconsin vs. Yoder case involve?
This case deals with the 1st amendment, having the right to exercise their religious beliefs.