U.S History Essay

A. Identification (50 POINTS): Write a brief paragraph (one per term) identifying FIVE of the following terms, people or concepts using the primary documents that you have read for this course as the basis for the identification. To receive full credit, each paragraph should include 1) who or what the term refers to, 2) an approximate date within a decade, and 3) the historical significance of the subject in legal and constitutional history. DO NOT USE THE INTERNET TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS!! I will know if you do. Use the assigned material as the basis for your answers.

John Marshall Harlan Bradwell v. The State

Slaughterhouse Cases Louis Brandeis

Separate but equal Johnson v. Texas

Feme covert US v. Abrams

Police power Gitlow v. US

Sullivan v. New York Times Whitney v. CA

Minersville School Board v. Gobitis Zechariah Chaffee

Gideon v. Wainwright Sweatt v. University of TX

1875 Civil Rights Law Mapp v. Ohio

B. Essay Question: CHOOSE ONE

1) Plessy v. Ferguson represented a turning point in constitutional law as did Brown v. Board of Education. Take either of these two cases and demonstrate, drawing on three specific cases, laws, constitutional amendments, or legal doctrines, how the case you choose made a historical difference in its time. In your introductory paragraph, lay out your primary argument or purpose of your essay. Draw on specific details of the three cases that explain their relevance to your argument. Your final paragraph will be your conclusion. Remember to date your documents within the decade in which they occur.

2) The First Amendment is brief but substantial. Its guarantees extend to free expression and freedom of religion, one of the first ideals sought by immigrants and colonizers from Europe. Write an essay on three of the provisions of the First Amendment and illustrate each one with a case that we have studied. In your introductory paragraph, lay out your primary argument or purpose of your essay. Draw on specific details of the three cases that explain their relevance to your argument. Your final paragraph will be your conclusion. Remember to date your documents within the decade in which they occur.

C. What is the case that has made the greatest impression on you? Write one paragraph on this topic and give specific details on the relevance of the case to you.