Required SCOTUS Cases

Question 1

Marbury V. Madison (1803)

Answer 1

In deciding this case about judicial appointments, the court established the principle of judicial review,
empowering the Supreme Court to declare an act of the legislative or executive branch unconstitutional.

Question 2

Mculloch V. Maryland (1819)

Answer 2

In deciding this case about a national bank and state taxes, the court established supremacy of the U.S.
Constitution and federal laws over state laws.

Question 3

Schenck V. United States (1919)

Answer 3

Speech creating a “clear and present danger” was not protected by the First Amendment and could be
limited.

Question 4

Brown V. Board of Education (1954)

Answer 4

Race-based school segregation violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Question 5

Baker V. Carr (1962)

Answer 5

This case held that redistricting did not raise political questions, allowing federal courts to hear other
cases that challenge redistricting plans that may violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth
Amendment.

Question 6

Engel V. Vitale (1962)

Answer 6

School sponsorship of religious activities violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Question 7

Gideon V. Wainwhright (1963)

Answer 7

In this case, the Sixth Amendment’s right to an attorney extends procedural due process protections to
felony defendants in state courts.

Question 8

Tinker V. Des Moines (1969)

Answer 8

A prohibition against public school students wearing black armbands in school to protest the Vietnam
War violated the students’ freedom of speech protections in the First Amendment.

Question 9

New York Times Co V. United States (1971)

Answer 9

This case bolstered the freedom of the press protections of the First Amendment, establishing a “heavy
presumption against prior restraint” even in cases involving national security.

Question 10

Wisconsin V. Yoder (1972)

Answer 10

Compelling Amish students to attend school past the eighth grade violates the Free Exercise Clause of
the First Amendment.

Question 11

Shaw V. Reno (1993)

Answer 11

Under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause, majority-minority districts, created under
the Voting Rights Act of 1965, may be constitutionally challenged by voters if race is the only factor used
in creating the district.

Question 12

United States V. Lopez (1995)

Answer 12

Congress exceeded its power under the Commerce Clause when it made possession of a gun in a
school zone a federal crime.

Question 13

McDonald V. Chicago (2010)

Answer 13

The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for self-defense is applicable to the states.

Question 14

Citizens United V. Federal Election Commission (2010)

Answer 14

Political spending by corporations, associations, and labor unions is a form of protected speech under
the First Amendment.