Major Supreme Court Decisions to Know for American Society

Major Supreme Court decisions have shaped American society by defining rights, liberties, and the balance of power. These landmark cases reflect the evolving interpretation of the Constitution and highlight the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in the nation.

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 Supreme 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. 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 in federal court.
   • Declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, exacerbating tensions leading to the Civil War.
   • Highlighted the limitations of federal power over slavery and states' rights.

3. Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

   • Upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine.
   • Legitimized state laws that enforced racial discrimination, leading to widespread segregation in public facilities.
   • Set a legal precedent that would not be overturned until Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.

4. Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

   • Declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson.
   • Emphasized that "separate but equal" educational facilities are inherently unequal.
   • Marked a significant victory for the Civil Rights Movement and set the stage for further desegregation efforts.

5. 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 that states are required to provide legal representation to indigent defendants.

6. 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.

7. 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 autonomy.

8. United States v. Nixon (1974)

   • Affirmed the principle that no person, not even the President, is above the law.
   • Required President Nixon to release tape recordings related to the Watergate scandal, leading to his resignation.
   • Strengthened the role of the judiciary in checking executive power.

9. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

   • Ruled that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts cannot be limited under the First Amendment.
   • Led to the rise of Super PACs and increased spending in political campaigns.
   • Raised concerns about the influence of money in politics and its impact on democracy.

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 Constitution.
    • Marked a significant milestone in the LGBTQ+ rights movement and expanded civil rights protections.