Landmark US Supreme Court Cases Quiz

Declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Established the 'separate but equal' doctrine, allowing racial segregation in public facilities, later overturned by Brown v. Board of Education.

Established the principle of 'one person, one vote' in legislative apportionment, requiring equal representation for all citizens in state legislative districts.

Established the principle of judicial review, granting the Supreme Court the authority to interpret the Constitution and declare laws unconstitutional.

Focused on the constitutional right of individuals to remain silent and avoid self-incrimination during police interrogation.

Recognized the right of criminal defendants to legal representation, extending the Sixth Amendment right to counsel to state criminal trials.

Central issue was same-sex marriage, leading to a landmark decision recognizing the constitutional right to marry regardless of gender.

Established the right to privacy, recognizing that certain constitutional rights are implied by the Bill of Rights, influencing the later Roe v. Wade decision.

Clarified that the right to free speech does not include the right to create a clear and present danger, such as falsely shouting 'fire' in a crowded theater.

Established the principle that evidence obtained through a violation of the Fourth Amendment is inadmissible in court, expanding the exclusionary rule.

Addressed interracial marriage bans, ruling them unconstitutional and affirming the right to marry regardless of race.

Ruled that students have the right to symbolic speech in schools, affirming freedom of speech for students within reasonable limits.

Ruled that Congress has the power to charter a national bank, establishing the doctrine of implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Affirmed a woman's right to choose to have an abortion, recognizing the constitutional right to privacy.

Held that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to possess a firearm for self-defense, affirming an individual right to bear arms.

Upheld the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II as a valid exercise of executive power during wartime, despite being widely criticized.

Ruled that protecting corporate political spending is a form of free speech, allowing corporations to spend unlimited funds in support of political candidates.

Declared that the government cannot censor or prohibit a publication in advance, even if it poses a threat to national security, protecting freedom of the press.

Addressed the issue of quotas in college admissions, ruling that strict racial quotas were unconstitutional but allowing race to be considered as one factor in admissions decisions.

Ruled that individuals have the right to challenge the constitutionality of their detention at Guantanamo Bay, affirming the right of habeas corpus.

Established the 'clear and present danger' test, allowing limitations on the First Amendment during times of war or national crisis.

Ruled that executive privilege is limited by the need for confidentiality, and the president cannot use it to withhold evidence in a criminal investigation.

Established the 'actual malice' standard for proving defamation by public officials, requiring proof of knowing falsehood or reckless disregard for the truth.

Decided that corporations can engage in independent political spending, treating corporate political contributions as a form of protected speech.

Determined that the president has the authority to seize private property during times of war or national emergency, but the extent of that authority depends on congressional authorization.