Civic Literacy Exam Landmark Supreme Court Cases Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

What was the significance of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?

Accepted Answer

It established the supremacy of federal law over state law and upheld Congress's implied powers

Answer

It established the Supreme Court's power of judicial review over federal laws

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It ruled that states could not tax federal land within their borders

Answer

It established the interstate commerce power as an exclusive federal authority

Question 2

What constitutional issue was at the center of Roe v. Wade (1973)?

Accepted Answer

Whether the Constitution protects a woman's right to abortion as part of a broader right to privacy

Answer

Whether states could prohibit the use of contraceptives by married couples

Answer

Whether government funding of abortions was required under the Equal Protection Clause

Answer

Whether hospitals could refuse to perform abortions for religious reasons

Question 3

What did the Supreme Court decide in United States v. Nixon (1974)?

Accepted Answer

Executive privilege is not absolute and cannot shield presidential records from a criminal investigation

Answer

The President can impound funds appropriated by Congress for programs he opposes

Answer

A sitting president is immune from criminal indictment while in office

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Congress cannot subpoena a president's personal communications

Question 4

What did the Supreme Court rule in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)?

Accepted Answer

Same-sex couples have a fundamental constitutional right to marry under the 14th Amendment

Answer

States must recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states under the Full Faith and Credit Clause

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The federal Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional

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States may define marriage as between a man and a woman under the 10th Amendment

Question 5

What constitutional principle was established in Mapp v. Ohio (1961)?

Accepted Answer

Evidence obtained through unconstitutional searches must be excluded from state criminal trials (exclusionary rule)

Answer

Police must inform suspects of their rights before questioning them

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The right to counsel applies to all state criminal proceedings

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Double jeopardy protection applies to state prosecutions through the 14th Amendment

Question 6

What was the ruling in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964), and why is it significant for freedom of the press?

Accepted Answer

Public officials must prove 'actual malice' to win a defamation lawsuit, providing broad protection for criticism of government

Answer

Newspapers cannot be held liable for publishing truthful statements about public officials

Answer

The government cannot obtain an injunction to prevent publication of classified information

Answer

Reporters have an absolute privilege not to reveal their sources to government investigators