U.S. Supreme Court Landmark Decisions Quiz

1. What was the significance of the case Marybury v. Madison?

Ruled in favor of expanding the principle of states' rights over federal rights.

Set the precedent for the doctrine of separation of powers within the federal government.

Established the principle of executive privilege in the United States.

Marybury v. Madison was a landmark case in the United States that established the principle of judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the power to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional. This case was significant as it shaped the relationship between the branches of government and reinforced the concept of checks and balances.

Explanation

Marybury v. Madison was a landmark case in the United States that established the principle of judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the power to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional. This case was significant as it shaped the relationship between the branches of government and reinforced the concept of checks and balances.

2. What was the outcome of the Gibbons vs. Ogden case?

Court declared the power to regulate interstate commerce was declared to congress.

The court ruled in favor of individual states having the power to regulate interstate commerce.

The case resulted in the establishment of a new federal agency to oversee interstate trade.

The case was dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction.

In the Gibbons vs. Ogden case, the Supreme Court ruled that the power to regulate interstate commerce was exclusively granted to Congress by the Constitution, affirming national authority over the economy. This decision set an important precedent for federal power in regulating commerce among states.

Explanation

In the Gibbons vs. Ogden case, the Supreme Court ruled that the power to regulate interstate commerce was exclusively granted to Congress by the Constitution, affirming national authority over the economy. This decision set an important precedent for federal power in regulating commerce among states.

3. What was the significance of the Plessy vs. Ferguson case?

Court declared that whites and blacks had to be seperated but given equal treatment. "seperate but equal"

The case established voting rights for African Americans in the southern states.

The case declared segregation illegal and paved the way for desegregation.

The case ruled that whites should have superior treatment compared to blacks in public facilities.

The Plessy vs. Ferguson case led to the establishment of the 'separate but equal' doctrine, which legalized segregation in the United States.

Explanation

The Plessy vs. Ferguson case led to the establishment of the 'separate but equal' doctrine, which legalized segregation in the United States.

4. What was the significance of the Brown vs. Board of Education case?

The case ruled in favor of separate but equal educational facilities for black and white children.

The case concluded that black children were not entitled to equal educational rights as white children.

Court declared it was unfair to give black children less educational oppurtunities.

The case led to the desegregation of public schools across the United States.

The Brown vs. Board of Education case was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1954 that declared segregation in public schools to be unconstitutional, as it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The correct answer highlights the main significance of the case.

Explanation

The Brown vs. Board of Education case was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1954 that declared segregation in public schools to be unconstitutional, as it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The correct answer highlights the main significance of the case.

5. What was the outcome of the Roe vs. Wade case?

B. Court ruled that abortion is legal at any stage of pregnancy.

A. Court ruled that abortion is illegal in all circumstances.

C. Court ruled that only the father of the unborn child can make the decision regarding abortion.

The Roe vs. Wade case was a landmark Supreme Court case that established a woman's legal right to have an abortion. The court ruled that a woman's right to choose an abortion is protected under the constitutional right to privacy.

Explanation

The Roe vs. Wade case was a landmark Supreme Court case that established a woman's legal right to have an abortion. The court ruled that a woman's right to choose an abortion is protected under the constitutional right to privacy.

6. What was the ruling in the landmark case Mapp vs. Ohio?

Court ruled that unreasonable search and seizure is not a violation of the Fourth Amendment.

Court ruled in favor of allowing any evidence obtained through unreasonable search and seizure to be admissible in court.

Court dismissed the case due to lack of evidence.

In the landmark case Mapp vs. Ohio, the Court declared that any evidence obtained through an unreasonable search and seizure cannot be used as evidence in court, setting an important precedent for protecting individual rights against unlawful searches and seizures.

Explanation

In the landmark case Mapp vs. Ohio, the Court declared that any evidence obtained through an unreasonable search and seizure cannot be used as evidence in court, setting an important precedent for protecting individual rights against unlawful searches and seizures.

7. What landmark Supreme Court case established the requirement that individuals in custody must be informed of their rights to avoid self-incrimination?

Marbury vs. Madison

Roe vs. Wade

Brown vs. Board of Education

Miranda vs. Arizona is a landmark Supreme Court case that established the requirement for individuals in custody to be informed of their rights. This requirement ensures that any information obtained from a person in custody without a proper warning of their rights cannot be used against them in court.

Explanation

Miranda vs. Arizona is a landmark Supreme Court case that established the requirement for individuals in custody to be informed of their rights. This requirement ensures that any information obtained from a person in custody without a proper warning of their rights cannot be used against them in court.

8. What was the ruling in the case of Gideon vs. Wainwright?

The Court ruled in favor of the prosecution, setting a precedent for future cases.

The case was dismissed due to lack of evidence.

The defendant was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.

In the case of Gideon vs. Wainwright, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that individuals who cannot afford legal representation must be provided with an attorney by the government to ensure a fair trial.

Explanation

In the case of Gideon vs. Wainwright, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that individuals who cannot afford legal representation must be provided with an attorney by the government to ensure a fair trial.

9. What does Tinker vs. Des Moines define?

A legal dispute regarding copyright infringement.

A landmark case in environmental law.

A famous rivalry between two universities.

Tinker vs. Des Moines is a significant Supreme Court case that established the constitutional rights of students in schools, particularly regarding their First Amendment rights. It is relevant today in determining the legality of disciplinary actions taken by schools.

Explanation

Tinker vs. Des Moines is a significant Supreme Court case that established the constitutional rights of students in schools, particularly regarding their First Amendment rights. It is relevant today in determining the legality of disciplinary actions taken by schools.

10. What was the ruling in the Supreme Court case of Engel vs. Vitale?

B. The court ruled that individual schools have the right to create their own official prayer.

Courts declared that it is unconstitutional for a state worker to compose an official school prayer.

A. The court upheld the right of states to have official school-sponsored prayers.

C. The court decided that schools can require students to recite a specific prayer each day.

In the case of Engel vs. Vitale, the Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and encourage its recitation in public schools.

Explanation

In the case of Engel vs. Vitale, the Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and encourage its recitation in public schools.

11. What was the ruling in the case of Texas vs. Johnson?

Johnson was found guilty of flag desecration and sentenced to prison.

Johnson's actions were deemed illegal and he was fined for his public demonstration.

The court ruled that flag burning was unconstitutional and a form of hate speech.

The case of Texas vs. Johnson was a landmark decision where the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Johnson's right to burn the flag as a form of speech protected under the First Amendment.

Explanation

The case of Texas vs. Johnson was a landmark decision where the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Johnson's right to burn the flag as a form of speech protected under the First Amendment.