Civic Literacy Court cases- Florida Civic Literacy Exam
Questions and Answers Grade A+
United States v. Lopez (1995) Short summary - Answer-Alfonzo Lopez was a Texas
high school senior who took a concealed weapon inside his school. Federal
charges were soon imposed because he violated the Gun-Free School Zones Act of
1990. The act stated that individuals could not possess firearms within school
zones based on the premise of the Commerce Clause.
United States v. Lopez (1995) constitutional issue: - Answer-This case explored a
constitutional issue involving the commerce clause, whether the Gun free school
Zone act of 1990 exceeded the power allowed by the cause
United States v. Lopez (1995) holdings and constitutional principle: - Answer-In the
ruling, the law was considered unconstitutional since having a gun at the school
zone did not substantially affect interstate commerce,
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) summary - Answer-In 1816, the Second Bank of the
United States was chartered; soon after, in 1818, however, Maryland decided to
pass a law that imposed taxes on the bank. James McCulloch, who served as a
cashier at the Baltimore branch of the Second Bank, decided not to pay the tax.
The state court had ruled that the Bank was unconstitutional, to begin with, and
that the federal government did not have the authority to charter a bank
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) holdings and constitutional principles - Answer-
Congress concluded based on the Necessary & Proper Clause thatCongress is not
limited by its expressed powers. It was decided that through Congress' implied
powers, theyhad the ability to create a bank. Congress also concluded based on
the Supremacy Clause that because thenational laws were superior to state laws,
the states were not allowed to tax the federal government.
McCulloch v. Maryland implied powers: - Answer-implied powers expand upon the
enumerated powers that are listed in the Constitution.Congress is allowed to
borrow money, coin money, and tax expressly by the Constitution. The
, impliedpower of creating a national bank allows for the federal government to
implement this expressed power
Engel v. Vitale (1962) summary - Answer-The New York Board of Regents had
authorized that at the beginning of each day, a short but voluntary prayer would
be recited. Several organizations filed suit against the Board of Regents, claiming
that the prayer violated the Constitution. The New York Court of Appeals
dismissed their arguments.
Engel v. Vitale (1962) constitutional issue - Answer-This case was significant and
interesting because this prayer was both voluntary and non-denominational.
However, the organizations filed suit based on a violation of the Establishment
Clause of the Constitution, which states that a law could not be made "respecting
an establishment of religion."
Engel v. Vitale (1962) holdings and principle - Answer-The court held that states
could not hold prayers in public schoolEVEN IF it was voluntary and EVEN IF the
prayer did not adhere to a specific religion. Because the act ofprayer was
considered a religious activity, having it occur in a public school (which is funded
by thegovernment) would go against the establishment clause of the First
Amendment
Engel v. Vitale (1962) main idea - Answer-School sponsorship of religious activities
= violation of First Amendment
Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) - Answer-Jonas Yoder, as well as other Amish parents,
refused to send their children to school afterthe 8th grade. In accordance with
their religion, they did not agree with high school attendance. They were later
charged under a Wisconsin law that required students to attend school until age
16
Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) summary - Answer-Jonas Yoder, as well as other Amish
parents, refused to send their children to school after the 8th grade. In
accordance with their religion, they did not agree with high school attendance.
They were later charged under a Wisconsin law that required students to attend
school until age 16.
Questions and Answers Grade A+
United States v. Lopez (1995) Short summary - Answer-Alfonzo Lopez was a Texas
high school senior who took a concealed weapon inside his school. Federal
charges were soon imposed because he violated the Gun-Free School Zones Act of
1990. The act stated that individuals could not possess firearms within school
zones based on the premise of the Commerce Clause.
United States v. Lopez (1995) constitutional issue: - Answer-This case explored a
constitutional issue involving the commerce clause, whether the Gun free school
Zone act of 1990 exceeded the power allowed by the cause
United States v. Lopez (1995) holdings and constitutional principle: - Answer-In the
ruling, the law was considered unconstitutional since having a gun at the school
zone did not substantially affect interstate commerce,
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) summary - Answer-In 1816, the Second Bank of the
United States was chartered; soon after, in 1818, however, Maryland decided to
pass a law that imposed taxes on the bank. James McCulloch, who served as a
cashier at the Baltimore branch of the Second Bank, decided not to pay the tax.
The state court had ruled that the Bank was unconstitutional, to begin with, and
that the federal government did not have the authority to charter a bank
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) holdings and constitutional principles - Answer-
Congress concluded based on the Necessary & Proper Clause thatCongress is not
limited by its expressed powers. It was decided that through Congress' implied
powers, theyhad the ability to create a bank. Congress also concluded based on
the Supremacy Clause that because thenational laws were superior to state laws,
the states were not allowed to tax the federal government.
McCulloch v. Maryland implied powers: - Answer-implied powers expand upon the
enumerated powers that are listed in the Constitution.Congress is allowed to
borrow money, coin money, and tax expressly by the Constitution. The
, impliedpower of creating a national bank allows for the federal government to
implement this expressed power
Engel v. Vitale (1962) summary - Answer-The New York Board of Regents had
authorized that at the beginning of each day, a short but voluntary prayer would
be recited. Several organizations filed suit against the Board of Regents, claiming
that the prayer violated the Constitution. The New York Court of Appeals
dismissed their arguments.
Engel v. Vitale (1962) constitutional issue - Answer-This case was significant and
interesting because this prayer was both voluntary and non-denominational.
However, the organizations filed suit based on a violation of the Establishment
Clause of the Constitution, which states that a law could not be made "respecting
an establishment of religion."
Engel v. Vitale (1962) holdings and principle - Answer-The court held that states
could not hold prayers in public schoolEVEN IF it was voluntary and EVEN IF the
prayer did not adhere to a specific religion. Because the act ofprayer was
considered a religious activity, having it occur in a public school (which is funded
by thegovernment) would go against the establishment clause of the First
Amendment
Engel v. Vitale (1962) main idea - Answer-School sponsorship of religious activities
= violation of First Amendment
Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) - Answer-Jonas Yoder, as well as other Amish parents,
refused to send their children to school afterthe 8th grade. In accordance with
their religion, they did not agree with high school attendance. They were later
charged under a Wisconsin law that required students to attend school until age
16
Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) summary - Answer-Jonas Yoder, as well as other Amish
parents, refused to send their children to school after the 8th grade. In
accordance with their religion, they did not agree with high school attendance.
They were later charged under a Wisconsin law that required students to attend
school until age 16.
