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 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.
Other Related Questions
The Bill of Rights is part of which document?
- A. The Magna Carta
- B. The Constitution
- C. The Articles of Confederation
- D. The Declaration of the Rights of Man
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments, is embedded within the Constitution of the United States, ensuring individual liberties and limiting governmental power. Option A, the Magna Carta, is a historical document from 1215 that influenced constitutional law but is not directly related to the U.S. Bill of Rights. Option C, the Articles of Confederation, served as the first governing document of the U.S. but did not include a Bill of Rights. Option D, the Declaration of the Rights of Man, pertains to the French Revolution and outlines rights for French citizens, not American rights.
The Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments, is embedded within the Constitution of the United States, ensuring individual liberties and limiting governmental power. Option A, the Magna Carta, is a historical document from 1215 that influenced constitutional law but is not directly related to the U.S. Bill of Rights. Option C, the Articles of Confederation, served as the first governing document of the U.S. but did not include a Bill of Rights. Option D, the Declaration of the Rights of Man, pertains to the French Revolution and outlines rights for French citizens, not American rights.
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.
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.
What is this labor market's equilibrium wage rate?
- A. $4 per hour
- B. $8 per hour
- C. $12 per hour
- D. $16 per hour
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
In a labor market, the equilibrium wage rate occurs where the quantity of labor supplied equals the quantity of labor demanded. Option C, $12 per hour, represents this balance, reflecting conditions where employers are willing to hire the same number of workers that job seekers are willing to accept. Option A, $4 per hour, is too low, leading to a surplus of labor as more workers seek jobs than employers are willing to hire. Option B, $8 per hour, may still create an imbalance, as it might not attract enough skilled workers. Option D, $16 per hour, is likely too high, resulting in a labor shortage as fewer employers can afford to pay that rate. Thus, $12 per hour is the optimal equilibrium wage.
In a labor market, the equilibrium wage rate occurs where the quantity of labor supplied equals the quantity of labor demanded. Option C, $12 per hour, represents this balance, reflecting conditions where employers are willing to hire the same number of workers that job seekers are willing to accept. Option A, $4 per hour, is too low, leading to a surplus of labor as more workers seek jobs than employers are willing to hire. Option B, $8 per hour, may still create an imbalance, as it might not attract enough skilled workers. Option D, $16 per hour, is likely too high, resulting in a labor shortage as fewer employers can afford to pay that rate. Thus, $12 per hour is the optimal equilibrium wage.