Landmark Supreme Court Cases to Know for Intro to American Government

Landmark Supreme Court cases shape American law and society, influencing civil rights, government power, and individual freedoms. These decisions reflect the ongoing struggle for justice and equality, connecting deeply to the history of Black women and broader political themes.

1. Marbury v. Madison (1803)

   • Established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to invalidate laws that conflict with the Constitution.
   • Asserted the Court's role as a co-equal branch of government, reinforcing the system of checks and balances.
   • Set a precedent for future cases involving the interpretation of the Constitution.

2. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

   • Confirmed the federal government's implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause.
   • Established that states cannot tax federal institutions, reinforcing the supremacy of federal law over state law.
   • Strengthened the power of the federal government in relation to the states.

3. Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

   • Ruled that African Americans, whether free or enslaved, could not be American citizens and therefore had no standing to sue.
   • Declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, exacerbating tensions leading to the Civil War.
   • Highlighted the limitations of the judiciary in addressing issues of slavery and civil rights.

4. Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

   • Established the "separate but equal" doctrine, legitimizing racial segregation laws.
   • Affirmed the constitutionality of state laws requiring racial segregation in public facilities.
   • Set a legal precedent that upheld discriminatory practices for decades until overturned by later rulings.

5. Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

   • Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson, declaring that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.
   • Found that "separate but equal" educational facilities are inherently unequal, violating the Equal Protection Clause.
   • Marked a significant victory for the Civil Rights Movement and set the stage for further desegregation efforts.

6. Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

   • Ruled that the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel for defendants in criminal cases, even if they cannot afford an attorney.
   • Expanded the rights of defendants and reinforced the principle of fair trial.
   • Established the requirement for states to provide legal representation to indigent defendants.

7. Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

   • Established the requirement for law enforcement to inform suspects of their rights to silence and legal counsel during interrogations.
   • Aimed to protect the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
   • Created the "Miranda warning," which is now a standard procedure in police arrests.

8. Roe v. Wade (1973)

   • Recognized a woman's constitutional right to privacy, extending to her decision to have an abortion.
   • Established a framework for regulating abortion based on the trimester of pregnancy.
   • Sparked ongoing debates and legal challenges regarding reproductive rights and women's health.

9. United States v. Nixon (1974)

   • Affirmed the principle that no person, not even the President, is above the law.
   • Ordered President Nixon to release tape recordings related to the Watergate scandal, leading to his resignation.
   • Reinforced the importance of accountability and transparency in government.

10. Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)

    • Legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, ruling that state bans on same-sex marriage were unconstitutional.
    • Affirmed the right to marry as a fundamental liberty protected by the Fourteenth Amendment.
    • Marked a significant milestone in the LGBTQ+ rights movement and the recognition of marriage equality.