LANDMARK COURT CASES FSOT TEST 2025
Marbury v. Madison - ANSWER 1803, the first time the Supreme Court
declared something "unconstitutional," and established the principle of judicial
review in the U.S.-the idea that the courts may oversee and nullify the actions of
another branch of government. The landmark decision helped define the
"checks and balances" of the American form of government.
McCulloch v. Maryland - ANSWER 1819, This landmark case established the
following two principles:
1. The Constitution grants to Congress implied powers to carry out the
Constitution's express powers to form a workable national government.
2. Action by a state may not obstruct valid constitutional exercises of power by
the Federal government.
Gibbons v. Ogden - ANSWER 1824, the Supreme Court of the United States
held that the power to regulate interstate commerce was granted to Congress by
the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution
Dred Scott v. Sandford - ANSWER 1857, was a ruling by the U.S. Supreme
Court that people of African descent imported into the United States and held as
slaves (or their descendants, whether or not they were slaves) were not
protected by the Constitution and could never be U.S. citizens. The court also
held that the U.S. Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in federal
territories and that, because slaves were not citizens, they could not sue in court.
Moreover, the Court held that slaves, being chattels or private property, could
not be deprived of their owners without due process.
Marbury v. Madison - ANSWER 1803, the first time the Supreme Court
declared something "unconstitutional," and established the principle of judicial
review in the U.S.-the idea that the courts may oversee and nullify the actions of
another branch of government. The landmark decision helped define the
"checks and balances" of the American form of government.
McCulloch v. Maryland - ANSWER 1819, This landmark case established the
following two principles:
1. The Constitution grants to Congress implied powers to carry out the
Constitution's express powers to form a workable national government.
2. Action by a state may not obstruct valid constitutional exercises of power by
the Federal government.
Gibbons v. Ogden - ANSWER 1824, the Supreme Court of the United States
held that the power to regulate interstate commerce was granted to Congress by
the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution
Dred Scott v. Sandford - ANSWER 1857, was a ruling by the U.S. Supreme
Court that people of African descent imported into the United States and held as
slaves (or their descendants, whether or not they were slaves) were not
protected by the Constitution and could never be U.S. citizens. The court also
held that the U.S. Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in federal
territories and that, because slaves were not citizens, they could not sue in court.
Moreover, the Court held that slaves, being chattels or private property, could
not be deprived of their owners without due process.
