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."
Assume that the state of Kansas passed a law limiting the number of hours teenagers could work on farms, and the state's farmers challenged the law. The decision in which of these cases could be cited in support of Kansas's law?
- A. Commonwealth v. Hunt
- B. Muller v. Oregon
- C. Brown v. Board of Education
- D. Engel v. Vitale
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Muller v. Oregon upheld the state's ability to regulate working hours for women, emphasizing the government's role in protecting public welfare. This precedent supports Kansas's law limiting teenage work hours on farms, as it aligns with the principle of safeguarding minors' health and well-being. Commonwealth v. Hunt dealt with labor unions and the right to organize, which does not pertain to youth labor regulations. Brown v. Board of Education focused on desegregation in schools, irrelevant to labor laws. Engel v. Vitale addressed school prayer, having no connection to employment issues. Thus, only Muller v. Oregon directly supports the rationale for Kansas's law.
Muller v. Oregon upheld the state's ability to regulate working hours for women, emphasizing the government's role in protecting public welfare. This precedent supports Kansas's law limiting teenage work hours on farms, as it aligns with the principle of safeguarding minors' health and well-being. Commonwealth v. Hunt dealt with labor unions and the right to organize, which does not pertain to youth labor regulations. Brown v. Board of Education focused on desegregation in schools, irrelevant to labor laws. Engel v. Vitale addressed school prayer, having no connection to employment issues. Thus, only Muller v. Oregon directly supports the rationale for Kansas's law.
Other Related Questions
The following is a list of events in Taylor's life. I. President of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers II. Employed by Midvale Steel Company III. Published 'The Principles of Scientific Management' IV. Received a gold medal from the Paris Exposition Place these events in chronological order, from earliest to latest.
- A. I, II, III, IV
- B. II, IV, I, III
- C. III, I, IV, II
- D. IV, III, II, I
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The sequence begins with Taylor’s employment at Midvale Steel Company (II), where he developed his principles of efficiency. Next, he received a gold medal from the Paris Exposition (IV), recognizing his contributions to management. Following this, he became the President of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (I), highlighting his leadership in the field. Lastly, he published 'The Principles of Scientific Management' (III), which solidified his theories and their impact on management practices. Option A misplaces the publication of his influential work. Option C incorrectly orders the events, placing the publication before his leadership role. Option D also disrupts the correct sequence by placing the gold medal before his employment.
The sequence begins with Taylor’s employment at Midvale Steel Company (II), where he developed his principles of efficiency. Next, he received a gold medal from the Paris Exposition (IV), recognizing his contributions to management. Following this, he became the President of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (I), highlighting his leadership in the field. Lastly, he published 'The Principles of Scientific Management' (III), which solidified his theories and their impact on management practices. Option A misplaces the publication of his influential work. Option C incorrectly orders the events, placing the publication before his leadership role. Option D also disrupts the correct sequence by placing the gold medal before his employment.
What is the effect of a debit on a person's checking account?
- A. The account's balance increases.
- B. The account's balance decreases.
- C. The account's interest rate increases.
- D. The account's interest rate decreases.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
A debit reduces the available funds in a checking account, leading to a decrease in the account's balance. Therefore, option B accurately reflects this effect. Option A is incorrect since a debit cannot increase the balance; it signifies money being spent or withdrawn. Options C and D relate to interest rates, which are unaffected by debit transactions in a checking account. Interest rates typically depend on the account type and bank policies, not on individual transactions like debits. Hence, they do not apply to the effect of a debit on the account balance.
A debit reduces the available funds in a checking account, leading to a decrease in the account's balance. Therefore, option B accurately reflects this effect. Option A is incorrect since a debit cannot increase the balance; it signifies money being spent or withdrawn. Options C and D relate to interest rates, which are unaffected by debit transactions in a checking account. Interest rates typically depend on the account type and bank policies, not on individual transactions like debits. Hence, they do not apply to the effect of a debit on the account balance.
In Toland, what is the opportunity cost of one unit of timber?
- A. ½ unit of fish
- B. 5 units of fish
- C. ½ unit of timber
- D. 16 units of timber
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
In Toland, the opportunity cost of one unit of timber is measured in terms of the fish that could have been produced instead. Option A, ½ unit of fish, accurately reflects this trade-off, indicating that producing one additional unit of timber sacrifices half a unit of fish. Option B, 5 units of fish, overestimates the opportunity cost, suggesting an unrealistic trade-off that does not align with the production possibilities. Option C, ½ unit of timber, incorrectly implies that timber production is sacrificed for itself, which is illogical. Lastly, Option D, 16 units of timber, misrepresents the concept of opportunity cost, as it suggests sacrificing timber for more timber, which is not feasible.
In Toland, the opportunity cost of one unit of timber is measured in terms of the fish that could have been produced instead. Option A, ½ unit of fish, accurately reflects this trade-off, indicating that producing one additional unit of timber sacrifices half a unit of fish. Option B, 5 units of fish, overestimates the opportunity cost, suggesting an unrealistic trade-off that does not align with the production possibilities. Option C, ½ unit of timber, incorrectly implies that timber production is sacrificed for itself, which is illogical. Lastly, Option D, 16 units of timber, misrepresents the concept of opportunity cost, as it suggests sacrificing timber for more timber, which is not feasible.
When is a government most likely to establish a wage floor?
- A. When wages have consistently increased over a long period of time
- B. When wages have remained constant over a long period of time
- C. When it determines wages are too low
- D. When it determines wages are too high
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
A wage floor, often implemented through minimum wage laws, is typically established when the government identifies that wages are too low, leading to insufficient income for workers. Option A is incorrect because a consistent increase in wages does not necessitate a wage floor; it may indicate a healthy economy. Option B is also wrong, as constant wages may not reflect a need for intervention unless they are deemed inadequate. Option D misinterprets the purpose of a wage floor; it is not set when wages are high, but rather to protect workers from unlivable pay levels. Thus, the rationale for a wage floor centers on addressing low wages.
A wage floor, often implemented through minimum wage laws, is typically established when the government identifies that wages are too low, leading to insufficient income for workers. Option A is incorrect because a consistent increase in wages does not necessitate a wage floor; it may indicate a healthy economy. Option B is also wrong, as constant wages may not reflect a need for intervention unless they are deemed inadequate. Option D misinterprets the purpose of a wage floor; it is not set when wages are high, but rather to protect workers from unlivable pay levels. Thus, the rationale for a wage floor centers on addressing low wages.