Key Supreme Court decisions

Dred Scott vs. Sandford Background Dred Scott was a slave who traveled with his master (a doctor) from Missouri (slave state) to Illinois (free state) Doctor returned back to Missouri Scott stayed back in Illinois; sued for his freedom Since Scott was now in a free state, was he in fact free???

Dred Scott vs. Sandford Outcome Roger B. Taney (Chief Justice) ruled: Blacks were not citizens & therefore could not sue for his freedom Congress could not ban slavery in the territories

Plessy vs. Ferguson (1896) Background State of Louisiana passed a law providing separate accommodations for Blacks & Whites on railways, including separate railcars Homer Plessy (only 1/8th Black) tests the new law by sitting in a “white” railcar Arrested & pays a $25 fine Sues against the Louisiana law; argues a violation of 14th Amendment – guarantees same rights to all citizens & equal protection of those rights (La. law implied inferiority of Blacks).

Plessy vs. Ferguson (1896) Outcome Ruling went against Plessy Defended the use of racial segregation (Jim Crow) Upheld “Separate but equal” Paved the way for future Jim Crow laws (social segregation laws in the South)

Brown vs. Board of Education (1954) Background Topeka, Kansas Oliver Brown, the parent of a 3rd grade daughter Linda, had to walk 6 blocks just to get to the bus stop to attend Monroe Elementary (black school) Sumner Elementary (white school) only 7 blocks from Brown’s house Thurgood Marshall (NAACP) argued against separate schools facilities – created inequalities; more money/resources coming in to wealthier school districts

Brown vs. Board of Education (1954) Outcome Overturned Plessy vs. Ferguson (9-0) unanimously Ended racial segregation in schools & eventually segregation in all public life Paved the way for integration & further advanced the civil rights movement

Affirmative Action Maximize diversity in all levels of society Redress perceived disadvantages of past discrimination Applicants must be employed without regard to Race, Creed, Color, National Origin Attempts to promote equal opportunity/ethnic diversity in employment, education, health programs, etc. Used by JFK (1961) Designed to help employment & employment opportunities for Minority Candidates

University of California vs. Bakke(1978) Background Case involved the University of Cal. Med. School vs. Allan Bakke (white applicant) Bakke was rejected 2 times by Cal. Med. School, even though there were minority candidates admitted with significantly lower test scores 16 of 100 seats (Med. School) were set aside for minorities

University of California vs. Bakke(1978) Outcome Race can be a factor, but not overwhelming factor Struck down “rigid” Quota System Affirmative Action was unfair if it led to “Reverse Discrimination” Individual Consideration – Look at each case/candidate on an individual basis; race can be a factor considered

Grutter vs. Bollinger (2003) Background University of Michigan Law School Grutter sues alleging the school used “Race” as a predominant factor in admissions

Grutter vs. Bollinger (2003) Outcome Michigan’s Law School was compliant with Individual Consideration – Race can be one of many factors used by the school However, Michigan’s Undergraduate Program awarded 20 pts. to Black, Hispanic, & American Indian applicants – Ruled unconstitutional

Roe vs. Wade (1973) Background Landmark case on issue of abortion Case involved Norma McCorvey, pregnant single-woman, who took the name Jane Roe (like John Doe) to represent all women Issue at hand: Texas law making it a crime to assist a woman to get an abortion Argued that it violated right to privacy under 14th Amendment (Due Process clause)

Roe vs. Wade (1973) Outcome (7-2 vote) A person has a right to an abortion up until Viability: Being potentially able to live outside the mother’s womb, albeit with artificial aid Today, abortions must be done within 1st Trimester Major restrictions if trying to abort later, i.e, threat to mother’s life Overturned several state laws outlawing abortion

Key Supreme Court decisions