1. 10 Court Cases in American History

2. 1
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Established judicial review – allows the judicial branch to review and nullify any action of the legislative and executive branch.
Gives distinct separation of powers among branches.

3. 2 McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Establishes that sovereignty stays within the United States and not individual states.
States cannot do things to override a federal government decision.

4. 3
Roe v. Wade (1973)
Court upheld the decision to privacy and a woman’s decision to have an abortion.
One of the most controversial Supreme Court decisions of all time.

5. 4
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
Declared segregation was constitutional under separate but equal doctrine.

6. 5 Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
Courts claimed segregation violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment.
Formally declared segregation unconstitutional – overruling Plessy V. Ferguson.

7. 6
Gideon v. Wainwright (1961)
Upholds the 6th amendment – and declares that an attorney will be provided for you in the event that you cannot afford one.

8. 7
Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you. Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you?”
Guarantees that arresting officers must tell you your rights when.

9. 8
Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)
The federal government has sole power over interstate commerce.
Stops states from forming monopolies.

10. 9 Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)
Said that slaves do not become free citizens when taken to free states.

11. 10
Texas v. Johnson (1989)
Extended the 1st amendment right to protect symbolic speech (burning a US flag).