Supreme Court Decisions of the Civil Rights Era


US History Civil Rights Movements Supreme Court Decisions of the Civil Rights Era
Students explain the phrase “landmark decision” in relation to Supreme Court opinions. Then they examine the effects of Supreme Court decisions that ended segregation in public places. Next they analyze landmark decisions relating to ethnic segregation and parents’ rights to freedom of religion in relation to schooling. Finally they look at categories of Constitutional amendments and explain why the abolishment of the poll tax required an amendment.

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Overview

In this experience, students explain the phrase “landmark decision” in relation to Supreme Court opinions. Then they examine the effects of Supreme Court decisions that ended segregation in public places. Next they analyze landmark decisions relating to ethnic segregation and parents’ rights to freedom of religion in relation to schooling. Finally they look at categories of Constitutional amendments and explain why the abolishment of the poll tax required an amendment.

Objectives

  • Explain the role of the Supreme Court in protecting civil rights.
  • Analyze the effects of landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions related to civil rights.


Engage


So far in this unit you have encountered a few key Supreme Court decisions that impacted the guarantee of civil rights in the United States. In this experience, you will examine a timeline of these and additional decisions that helped shape civil rights policies throughout the twentieth century.

Objectives

  • Explain the role of the Supreme Court in protecting civil rights.
  • Analyze the effects of landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions related to civil rights.


official portrait of Marshall in his justice robe

Thurgood Marshall became the first African American
to serve as justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
He was appointed by President Lyndon Johnson in 1967.


You may recall important U.S. Supreme Court decisions that you have learned about in other courses, such as Marbury v. Madison (1803) or Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857).


Why do you think some Supreme Court decisions are termed “landmark decisions”?

Post your answer

One definition of the word landmark is “an event or development that marks a turning point or a milestone of development.” According to the Supreme Court website, a landmark decision is a case that has shaped history and has an impact on law-abiding citizens today.


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