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Schenck v. United States
The Court ruled that freedom of speech could be restricted if it led presented a "clear and present danger." At this time, the United States was involved in the First World War, which Schenck opposed a "rich man's war." This has restricted free speech very seriously in the country, but it keeps people safe. -
Gitlow v. New York
The Court ruled that the 14th Amendment meant that the rules of speech applied to the states as well as the federal government. At this time, America was in the middle of the Roaring 20s, a time of prosperity and joy for Americans. There was a distrust of Communists and Socialists, a central part of this case. This case led to the eventual decision that equal protection applied all of the Constitution and Bill of Rights to all of the states. -
Mapp v. Ohio
The Court established that evidence obtained illegally is not admissible in court. During this time, JFK was at the beginning of his presidency, and the Cold War was terrifying all Americans. The impact of this case cannot be overstated. Every single court case since this ruling has been affected by the rule of admissibility. -
Engel v. Vitale
The Court ruled that voluntary prayer in public schools violated the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment. During this time, Kennedy was the president, and the Cold War was in full swing. The Civil Rights movement was gaining ground as well. The case has been unpopular with many Christian groups, and there have been calls to rehear the case. Similar cases include Westside Community Schools v. Mergers and Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe. -
Griswold v. Connecticut
The Court decided that it was the constitutional right of a married person to buy birth control. At this time, the women's rights movement was just picking up, and women were able to assert their rights. This was a very important case for the women's liberation movement. -
Tinker v. Des Moines
The Court ruled that students didn't shed their 1st Amendment rights at the schoolhouse door. At this time, there was a lot of discontent about the Vietnam War, especially among young people. Protests were very important. This case is imperative to all public school students; protests like March for Our Lives couldn't happen without this case. -
Brandenburg v. Ohio
The Court established that hate speech is protected as long as it doesn't encourage violence. At this time, racism was still prevalent in the United States, and the KKK was very active, a central part of this case. The impact is relevant especially now; you can be hateful as you like, but if it isn't dangerous, it's allowed. The world of social media makes this often debated. -
Lemon v. Kurtzman
The court established a three-part test to determine if something violates the establishment clause. At this time, there was a lot of debate about the direction of the country, including religion. It has had a lasting impact, and the test is used to this day. -
New York Times v. United States
The Court decided that the executive branch cannot prevent the publishing of confidential information as it is a violation of freedom of the press. At this time, there was anger surrounding the Vietnam War, and the Pentagon Papers gave an explanation for the United States' involvement. This case expanded the ability of the press to publish information that the government may not want public. Confidential information, as long as it doesn't put the US in danger, is allowed. -
Wisconsin v. Yoder
The Court ruled that compulsory school attendance in unconstitutional when it interferes with religious beliefs of a group, in this case, the Amish. At this time, the counter-culture movement was at its height. The women's rights movement was very strong, and Title IX was passed in this same year. This case was very important to the way we interpret freedom of religion in the United States. Groups like the Amish were able to express their religion as they chose. -
New Jersey v. TLO
The Court ruled that schools can search students without a warrant if they have probable cause. During this time, the Reagan administration was in full swing. The impact of this decision is important; students in schools across the country are not entitled to warranted searches. -
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier
The Court ruled that school leadership could censor school papers and that freedom of speech and press did not extend to that. President George H. W. Bush was about to be elected. The economy was doing rather well, and the Cold War had ended earlier in the decade. This decision affects every school-sponsored publication in the United States. It has been questioned, but remains law. -
Texas v. Johnson
The Court ruled that no matter how offensive it is, symbolic speech is protected by the Bill of Rights. At this time, George H. W. Bush was president, and the country was experiencing a right-leaning public opinion. This issue is still contentious, as shown by the close vote. It has had a huge impact, however, in protecting symbolic speech in the United States. -
Santa Fe School v. Doe
The Court ruled that student-led prayer before a football game is a violation of the First Amendment. Bill Clinton was finishing his final term, and the world had just passed into the millennium with no Y2K disaster. This court case had a huge impact on public schools. To this day, student-led prayer is not allowed. It affects every student. -
Citizens United v. FEC
The Court decided that laws against unions and organizations using their money to support political campaigns violated the 1st Amendment. At this time, Barack Obama was president, and the country was in the middle of a recession. This decision had a huge impact on campaign finance laws and changed the balance of political campaigns. -
Works Cited 2
New York Times v. United States. Retrieved from http://landmarkcases.c-span.org/Case/25/New-York-Times-v-United-States
Schenck v. United States | Definition, Facts, & Significance | Britannica.com. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/event/Schenck-v-United-States
Facts and Case Summary - Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier | United States Courts. Retrieved from https://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/facts-and-case-summary-hazelwood-v-kuhlmeier -
Works Cited
Facts and Case Summary - Engel v. Vitale | United States Courts. Retrieved from https://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/facts-and-case-summary-engel-v-vitale
Wisconsin v. Yoder | law case | Britannica.com. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Wisconsin-v-Yoder
Facts and Case Summary -Tinker v. Des Moines | United States Courts. Retrieved from https://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/facts-and-case-summary-tinker-v-des-moines -
Works Cited 3
Gitlow v. New York | Summary & Significance | Britannica.com. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/event/Gitlow-v-New-York
Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe | law case | Britannica.com. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/event/Santa-Fe-Independent-School-District-v-Doe
Brandenburg v. Ohio Retrieved from http://landmarkcases.c-span.org/Case/23/Brandenburg-v-Ohio -
Works Cited 4
Mapp v. Ohio Podcast | United States Courts. Retrieved from https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/supreme-court-landmarks/mapp-v-ohio-podcast
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission | Opinion, Dissent, Significance, & Influence | Britannica.com. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/event/Citizens-United-v-Federal-Election-Commission
