Landmark Supreme Court Cases Flashcards

Quickly learn the Supreme Court cases that have shaped U.S. policy and guide current interpretations of the law.

1
Q

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

A

It established the Supreme Court’s right to judicial review, which checks the Legislative and Executive branches.

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2
Q

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

McCullouch v. Maryland (1819)

A

It established that Congress possesses “implied powers” to achieve aims enumerated in the Constitution and that the federal government has supremacy over the state government.

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3
Q

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819)

A

It upheld the “sanctity of contracts.”

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4
Q

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

A

It confirmed Congress’s right to regulate interstate commerce.

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5
Q

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

A

It denied citizenship to both slaves and their descendants, therefore denying them protection under the Constitution.

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6
Q

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

A

It upheld racial segregation under the “separate but equal” doctrine.

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7
Q

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Schenck v. the U.S. (1919)

A

It waived the First Amendment right to free speech when that speech would create a “clear and present danger.”

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8
Q

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

A

It overturned Plessy v. Ferguson, finding that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”

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9
Q

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

A

It established that evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment (no unreasonable searches, no seizures without warrants) cannot be used in a court of law.

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10
Q

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

A

It banned public prayers in schools.

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11
Q

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

A

It established the federal government’s right to rule on reapportionment and the fairness of voting districts.

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12
Q

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

A

It established the right to a lawyer and required state courts to assign lawyers to those who could not afford one.

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13
Q

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

A

It established that officers must inform those arrested of the consequences of answering officers’ questions.

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14
Q

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Tinker v. Des Moines School District (1969)

A

It extended the First Amendment’s application to symbolic speech by students in public schools.

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15
Q

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

A

It established a woman’s right to an abortion.

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16
Q

Identify the significance of the following Supreme Court case.

U.S. v. Nixon (1974)

A

It established that the president does not enjoy unlimited rights, even under the doctrine of “executive privilege.”

17
Q

Which case established the Supreme Court’s right to judicial review, which checks the Legislative and Executive branches?

A

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

18
Q

Which case established that Congress possesses “implied powers” to achieve aims enumerated in the Constitution, and that federal government has supremacy over state government?

A

McCullouch v. Maryland (1819)

19
Q

Which Supreme Court case upheld the “sanctity of contracts”?

A

Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819)

20
Q

Which Supreme Court case confirmed Congress’s right to regulate interstate commerce?

A

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

21
Q

Which Supreme Court case denied citizenship to both slaves and their descendants, and therefore also denied them protection under the Constitution?

A

Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)

22
Q

Which Supreme Court case upheld racial segregation under the “separate but equal” doctrine?

A

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

23
Q

Which Supreme Court case waived the First Amendment right to free speech when that speech would create a “clear and present danger”?

A

Schenk v. the U.S. (1919)

24
Q

Which Supreme Court case overturned Plessy v. Ferguson, finding that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal”?

A

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

25
Q

Which Supreme Court case established that evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment cannot be used in a court of law?

A

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

26
Q

Which Supreme Court case banned public prayers in schools?

A

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

27
Q

Which Supreme Court case established the federal government’s right to rule on reapportionment and the fairness of voting districts?

A

Baker v. Carr (1962)

28
Q

Which Supreme Court case established the right to a lawyer and required state courts to assign lawyers to those who could not afford one?

A

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

29
Q

Which Supreme Court case established that officers must inform those arrested of the consequences of answering officers’ questions?

A

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

30
Q

Which Supreme Court case extended the First Amendment’s application to symbolic speech by students in public schools?

A

Tinker v. Des Moines School District (1969)

31
Q

Which Supreme Court case established a woman’s right to an abortion?

A

Roe v. Wade (1973)

32
Q

Which Supreme Court case established that the president does not enjoy unlimited rights, even under the doctrine of “executive privilege”?

A

U.S. v. Nixon (1974)