Hey kids! My name is JRO. Let's go more in depth of some of the most influential Supreme Court Cases in The United States.

McCulloch V Maryland

One day the federal government created a bank in Mayland... But Maryland was very upset by this decision. They then created a tax that they would impose on the government.

The majority had decided that Maryland could not create taxes on the bank. Thanks to this case, judicial review is not implemented into cases to see if actions are in line with the Constitution!

United States V Lopez

In The US vs Lopez, citizens fought for a gun free school zone. Except the Supreme Court had overstepped its authority under the commerce clause (an article in the US Constitution stating the powers of federal government).

By limiting the government and showing steps of separation of power, the supreme court was overturned and the majority voted to strike down the law.

Engel V Vitale

Some schools in NY required a prayer to be recited after the Pledge of Allegiance in schools. This was brought to court saying that it violated the establishment clause (an article that prohibits the establishment of religion).

It was decided by the majority that the prayers violated the First Amendment which met that they were banned in schools. The court had ruled for the encouragement of individual liberties.

Wisconsin V Yoder

Children with an Amish religion were pulled from school once they finished eighth grade. The parents had made this decision based off their beliefs.

This day they had decided that the children would not be required to return to school and the majority voted in favor of Yoder. The original law had violated the first amendment, which gives them the freedom to exercise their religion.

Tinker v Des Moines Independent Community School

After the Christmas Truce was made in war, students wore black armbands (like this one) supporting this decision. This was a violation of one's right to freedom of speech.

After the majority had voted for the armbands, the freedom of speech right given to American citizens still applied to these children.

New York Times Co. v United States 

The truth about the Vietnam war was released and the New York Times had published an article about it. Nixon tried his best to stop these articles from being published since it was private information.

They decided that this action by Nixon had violated the first amendment, protection of the freedom of press, and allowed these articles to stay published. The majority had voted in favor of the press.

Schenck v United States

Schenk did not like the military draft process. He encouraged others to participate in resistance against it. This was brought to court after they were sent to jail.

After discussion at court the majority voted in against Schenk and stated that his actions were not supported by the first amendment. The court ruled in favor of upholding the Espionage Act of 1917.

Gideon v. Wainwright

One day Gideon broke into a pool house and robbed them. When he was arrested he was not provided with a lawyer because he could not afford one. This was a violation of the sixth amendment.

After the majority had ruled in Gideon's favor, he was provided with a lawyer and implemented the sixth amendment.

Roe v Wade

Many women across the country were having illegal abortions. This caused lots of protests and differing opinions within our country. Christians believed it should be illegal but Women's rights movement fought for them to be legalized. The right to privacy is mentioned in many amendments, which was used as a reason in court.

In this case there was a violation of the fourteenth amendment. There are now different laws depending on which trimester a women is in. This caused more polarization between parties.

Mcdonald v Chicago

McDonald' street was filled with violence and wanted to purchase a handgun in order to protect himself.  Except he could not, this violated the second amendment, right to bear arms. This case was taken to court.