Court Cases
McCulloch v Maryland
Main issue
Decision
Effect
Can Congress can establish a national bank? If so, can a state tax the national bank?
Chief Justice Marshall and the Supreme Court decided that Congress had implied powers that trumped state laws. Therefore, Congress could create a national bank, and Maryland could not tax the national bank.
This case established 2 important principles of Constitutional law: implied powers (powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution) and federal supremacy (over state law).
By article 6 of the Constitution, federal law takes precedence over state law.
Dred Scott v Sanford
Decision
Effect
Main issues
Gideon v Wainwright
Decision
Effect
Main issue
Is the prohibition of slavery in free territories constitutional?
Is is a consitutional right for African Americans to sue federal courts?
The Supreme Court decided that Congress cannot ban slavery in free territories. Moreover, Af Ams had no right to sue federal courts because they were considered "property" and not citizens of the US.
Set the precedent for continued slavery in the US.
Schenk v US
Brown v Board of Education
Decision
Effect
Main issue
Decision
Effect
Main issue
Schenk violated the Espionage Act of 1917, but appealed his conviction on the grounds that the Act violated the First Amendment and took away his right to freedom of speech and freedom of the press .
The Supreme Court ruled that the Espionage Act did not violate the Constitution because it was intended to protect the US and the war effort.
Set the precedent that the First Amendment could be limited ONLY if circumstances created a "clear and present danger."
The previous Plessy v Ferguson case established the legal doctrine of "separate but equal," making racial segregation legal in the United States. Brown v Board challenged the constitutionality of this decision as it pertained to public schools.
Brown v Board overturned segregation in public schools, which set a new legal precedent for desegregation.
This decision paved the way for the Civil Rights movement and set the precedent for desegregated education and public life.
Should an individual charged with a crime be appointed a lawyer if they cannot afford to hire one?
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Gideon and decided that a lawyer must be appointed for him.
This decision showed how influential the Supreme Court is over numerous aspects of the American government/justice system.
Divided the North and South sharply over civil rights for African Americans; this case ultimately moved America toward Civil War.
This decision set the precedent for the 6th Amendment, which says that a criminal defendant has the right to be defended by a lawyer if they so wish.
However, widespread backlash concerning this decision ultimately bolstered the First Amendment. People were more conscientious about protecting their First Amendment rights.