Skip to Main Content

Unit

Federal Courts in History Supreme Court Cases

Published
Nov 6, 2020
A photo of the Supreme Court

Lessons

Close-up of marble columns with fluted design and solid bases, highlighting architectural details.
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
  • 4 Activities

Case background and primary source documents concerning the Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison. Setting the precedent of Judicial review, this lesson focuses on the question of whether or not the Supreme Court should have the power to overturn unconstitutional federal laws.

U.S. Supreme Court building with an American flag waving in front and the words "Equal Justice" inscribed above.
Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)
  • 3 Activities

Case background and primary source documents concerning the Supreme Court case of Dred Scott v. Sanford. This case deals with the issues of slavery, states’ rights, and the interpretation of our Founding documents. This lesson focuses on the question of how the two sides in the Dred Scott decision interpreted the same Founding documents and came to such different conclusions.

Columns and stone facade of a building with the inscription "COURT HOUSE" above.
United States v. Nixon (1974)
  • 3 Activities

Case background and primary source documents concerning the Supreme Court case of United States v. Nixon. Dealing with the principle of separation of powers, this lesson focuses on the question of whether or not the Constitution’s separation of powers intended to create an absolute executive privilege.

Standards


Related content