Selected Court Cases in United States History
Commonwealth v. Hunt (1842)
1 In the 1790s workers began forming unions to bargain collectively with employers for higher wages and other benefits. Employers generally resisted these efforts. This decision, handed down by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, strengthened the union movement by ruling that workers had the right to form a union and that doing so did not constitute a criminal conspiracy against their employer.
Muller v. Oregon (1908)
2 In the early 1900s, Progressive reformers in Oregon overcame business apposition and helped to pass a law protecting working women. The law prohibited businesses from requiring women to work for more than ten hours a day. The U.S. Supreme Court supported these Progressive reformers by declaring that the law was constitutional.
Schenck v. United States (1919)
3 After the United States entered World War I, Congress passed the Espionage Act of 1917 to punish antiwar behavior and ben antiwar materials from the mail, It also passed the Sedition Act of 1918, which outlawed speech, writing, and behavior that the government deemed dangerous to the war effort. Charles Schenck was convicted of mailing antiwar pamphlets that urged men to seek repeal of the Conscription Act. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld his conviction, ruling that the First Amendment's right to free speech did not include speech that was "a clear and present danger to the safety of the country."
Which basic principle of governance in the U.S. maintains that legislatures write the laws, executives carry out the laws, and courts interpret the laws?
- A. Federalism
- B. Limited government
- C. Separation of powers
- D. Popular sovereignty
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The principle of governance that ensures legislatures write laws, executives enforce them, and courts interpret them is known as the Separation of Powers. This framework prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful, promoting a system of checks and balances essential for democracy. Option A, Federalism, refers to the division of power between national and state governments, not the roles of branches. Option B, Limited Government, emphasizes restrictions on government power but does not specifically address the functions of branches. Option D, Popular Sovereignty, focuses on the authority of the people in governance, rather than the separation of government functions.
The principle of governance that ensures legislatures write laws, executives enforce them, and courts interpret them is known as the Separation of Powers. This framework prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful, promoting a system of checks and balances essential for democracy. Option A, Federalism, refers to the division of power between national and state governments, not the roles of branches. Option B, Limited Government, emphasizes restrictions on government power but does not specifically address the functions of branches. Option D, Popular Sovereignty, focuses on the authority of the people in governance, rather than the separation of government functions.
Other Related Questions
Which amendment has been interpreted to mean that a police officer must get permission from the courts before entering the home of a suspected criminal?
- A. Amendment 1
- B. Amendment 4
- C. Amendment 5
- D. Amendment 6
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring law enforcement to obtain a warrant based on probable cause before entering a home. This ensures privacy and security within one’s dwelling. Option A, the First Amendment, focuses on freedoms of speech, religion, and assembly, not search and seizure. Option C, the Fifth Amendment, addresses rights related to self-incrimination and due process, while Option D, the Sixth Amendment, guarantees the right to a fair trial and legal counsel. None of these amendments pertain to the requirement for police to obtain permission to enter a home.
The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring law enforcement to obtain a warrant based on probable cause before entering a home. This ensures privacy and security within one’s dwelling. Option A, the First Amendment, focuses on freedoms of speech, religion, and assembly, not search and seizure. Option C, the Fifth Amendment, addresses rights related to self-incrimination and due process, while Option D, the Sixth Amendment, guarantees the right to a fair trial and legal counsel. None of these amendments pertain to the requirement for police to obtain permission to enter a home.
Which of these pairs of cases deals with First Amendment rights?
- A. Commonwealth v. Hunt and Brown v. Board of Education
- B. Muller v. Oregon and Schenck v. United States
- C. Schenck v. United States and Engel v. Vitale
- D. Brown v. Board of Education and Engel v. Vitale
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C features Schenck v. United States and Engel v. Vitale, both pivotal cases addressing First Amendment rights. Schenck examined free speech limitations during wartime, while Engel addressed the separation of church and state in public schools, emphasizing freedom of religion. Option A includes Commonwealth v. Hunt, focused on labor rights, and Brown v. Board of Education, which, although significant for civil rights, does not directly pertain to First Amendment issues. Option B includes Muller v. Oregon, centered on labor laws, and Schenck, which, while relevant, does not pair with a Second case addressing First Amendment rights. Option D pairs Brown v. Board of Education with Engel v. Vitale, where only Engel pertains to First Amendment issues, making it an incomplete choice.
Option C features Schenck v. United States and Engel v. Vitale, both pivotal cases addressing First Amendment rights. Schenck examined free speech limitations during wartime, while Engel addressed the separation of church and state in public schools, emphasizing freedom of religion. Option A includes Commonwealth v. Hunt, focused on labor rights, and Brown v. Board of Education, which, although significant for civil rights, does not directly pertain to First Amendment issues. Option B includes Muller v. Oregon, centered on labor laws, and Schenck, which, while relevant, does not pair with a Second case addressing First Amendment rights. Option D pairs Brown v. Board of Education with Engel v. Vitale, where only Engel pertains to First Amendment issues, making it an incomplete choice.
Which statement is true about the four countries that accepted the passengers?
- A. They had camps similar to those established by Germany.
- B. They were allies during World War II.
- C. They had Europe's largest populations prior to World War I.
- D. They each shared a border with Germany.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B is accurate as the four countries that accepted the passengers were indeed allies during World War II, collaborating against the Axis powers. Option A is incorrect because these countries did not establish camps similar to those in Germany; instead, they provided refuge to those fleeing persecution. Option C is misleading; while some of these countries had significant populations, they were not necessarily the largest in Europe prior to World War I. Option D is false as not all of the countries shared a border with Germany, which limits the applicability of this statement.
Option B is accurate as the four countries that accepted the passengers were indeed allies during World War II, collaborating against the Axis powers. Option A is incorrect because these countries did not establish camps similar to those in Germany; instead, they provided refuge to those fleeing persecution. Option C is misleading; while some of these countries had significant populations, they were not necessarily the largest in Europe prior to World War I. Option D is false as not all of the countries shared a border with Germany, which limits the applicability of this statement.
Which point on this PPF graph represents a currently unobtainable output level for this economy?
- A. V
- B. X
- C. Y
- D. Z
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Point D represents a currently unobtainable output level for this economy because it lies outside the production possibilities frontier (PPF). The PPF illustrates the maximum efficient production of two goods, given the available resources and technology. Point A (V), Point B (X), and Point C (Y) are all located on or within the PPF, indicating feasible production levels that the economy can achieve. In contrast, Point D (Z) exceeds these capabilities, signifying an output level that cannot be realized with the current resources and technology. Thus, only Point D is unattainable.
Point D represents a currently unobtainable output level for this economy because it lies outside the production possibilities frontier (PPF). The PPF illustrates the maximum efficient production of two goods, given the available resources and technology. Point A (V), Point B (X), and Point C (Y) are all located on or within the PPF, indicating feasible production levels that the economy can achieve. In contrast, Point D (Z) exceeds these capabilities, signifying an output level that cannot be realized with the current resources and technology. Thus, only Point D is unattainable.