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
The purpose of the U.S. imposing immigration quotas was to
- A. better control who was admitted to the country.
- B. help keep the country neutral during World War II.
- C. increase the number of eligible Germans and Austrians.
- D. put pressure on Germany to stop using concentration camps.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Imposing immigration quotas aimed to better control who was admitted to the U.S., ensuring that specific nationalities were favored or restricted based on political and social considerations. This approach allowed the government to manage demographic changes and maintain national security. Option B is incorrect as immigration quotas were established long before World War II and were not directly related to maintaining neutrality during the conflict. Option C misrepresents the quotas' purpose, as they were not designed to increase the number of Germans and Austrians but rather to limit immigration from certain countries. Option D is also inaccurate; the quotas were not a mechanism to pressure Germany regarding its policies, including concentration camps.
Imposing immigration quotas aimed to better control who was admitted to the U.S., ensuring that specific nationalities were favored or restricted based on political and social considerations. This approach allowed the government to manage demographic changes and maintain national security. Option B is incorrect as immigration quotas were established long before World War II and were not directly related to maintaining neutrality during the conflict. Option C misrepresents the quotas' purpose, as they were not designed to increase the number of Germans and Austrians but rather to limit immigration from certain countries. Option D is also inaccurate; the quotas were not a mechanism to pressure Germany regarding its policies, including concentration camps.
Based on the obituary, what was one result business owners could expect if they put into place Taylor's doctrines?
- A. Loyal employees
- B. Increased outputs
- C. Managers doing more work
- D. Laborers becoming company presidents
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Implementing Taylor's doctrines, which emphasize scientific management and efficiency, would likely lead to increased outputs. These principles focus on optimizing work processes and enhancing productivity, resulting in higher production levels. Option A, loyal employees, is not a direct outcome of Taylorism; while efficiency may improve morale, loyalty is not guaranteed. Option C, managers doing more work, contradicts Taylor's aim of defining roles clearly to enhance efficiency. Option D, laborers becoming company presidents, is unrealistic within the framework of Taylor's doctrines, which prioritize specialization rather than promoting laborers to managerial positions.
Implementing Taylor's doctrines, which emphasize scientific management and efficiency, would likely lead to increased outputs. These principles focus on optimizing work processes and enhancing productivity, resulting in higher production levels. Option A, loyal employees, is not a direct outcome of Taylorism; while efficiency may improve morale, loyalty is not guaranteed. Option C, managers doing more work, contradicts Taylor's aim of defining roles clearly to enhance efficiency. Option D, laborers becoming company presidents, is unrealistic within the framework of Taylor's doctrines, which prioritize specialization rather than promoting laborers to managerial positions.
The government provides a lawyer to a person accused of committing a felony if that person does not have the money to hire one. Which amendment supports this?
- A. Amendment 4
- B. Amendment 5
- C. Amendment 6
- D. Amendment 10
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel, ensuring that individuals accused of crimes, including felonies, receive legal representation even if they cannot afford an attorney. This provision is essential for a fair trial. Option A, the Fourth Amendment, protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, which does not relate to legal representation. Option B, the Fifth Amendment, addresses rights related to self-incrimination and due process but does not specifically mention the right to counsel. Option D, the Tenth Amendment, reserves powers to the states and does not pertain to individual rights in criminal proceedings.
The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel, ensuring that individuals accused of crimes, including felonies, receive legal representation even if they cannot afford an attorney. This provision is essential for a fair trial. Option A, the Fourth Amendment, protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, which does not relate to legal representation. Option B, the Fifth Amendment, addresses rights related to self-incrimination and due process but does not specifically mention the right to counsel. Option D, the Tenth Amendment, reserves powers to the states and does not pertain to individual rights in criminal proceedings.
Before leaving Germany, where did most of the passengers intend to resettle?
- A. Cuba
- B. Great Britain
- C. France
- D. United States
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Most passengers intended to resettle in the United States due to its reputation as a land of opportunity and refuge for immigrants. The U.S. offered economic prospects and a chance for a fresh start, making it a primary destination for those leaving Germany. Option A, Cuba, was less appealing as it did not have the same level of immigration support or opportunities. Option B, Great Britain, while historically significant, was less favored due to its stringent immigration policies at the time. Option C, France, although attractive, did not match the U.S. in terms of the number of immigrants seeking a new life.
Most passengers intended to resettle in the United States due to its reputation as a land of opportunity and refuge for immigrants. The U.S. offered economic prospects and a chance for a fresh start, making it a primary destination for those leaving Germany. Option A, Cuba, was less appealing as it did not have the same level of immigration support or opportunities. Option B, Great Britain, while historically significant, was less favored due to its stringent immigration policies at the time. Option C, France, although attractive, did not match the U.S. in terms of the number of immigrants seeking a new life.