Apex Learning Dred Scott Freedom from Slavery Question

3.2.6 Practice: Overturning a Supreme Court Decision

For this assignment, you will complete the following steps:

  1. Research: On the Internet or in a library, gather information and answer questions about three Supreme Court decisions and the congressional statute, constitutional amendments, and later Supreme Court ruling that overturned each of these decisions.
  2. Analyze: From the options provided, select one case that hasn’t been overturned and write a short response explaining how this decision could be reversed in the future.

To get the best grade possible, follow the instructions in the assignment closely and answer all of the questions completely. This assignment is worth 30 points.

On the Internet or in a library, gather information about the following Supreme Court decisions that have been overturned:

  • Dred Scott v. Sandford, which was overturned by the Thirteenth and Fourteenth amendments
  • Stanford v. Kentucky, which was overturned by Roper v. Simmons
  • Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., which was overturned by the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009

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1. Briefly describe the background of Dred Scott v. Sandford. (1 point)

2. What decision did the Supreme Court reach in Dred Scott v. Sandford? (1 point)

3. The decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford was overturned by the passage of the Thirteenth and Fourteenth amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Describe how these amendments overturned the decision in this case. (2 points)

4. Briefly describe the background of Stanford v. Kentucky. (1 point)

5. What decision did the Supreme Court reach in Stanford v. Kentucky? (1 point)

6. The decision in Stanford v. Kentucky was overturned by the Supreme Court’s ruling in Roper v. Simmons. Describe how this later ruling overturned the earlier decision. (2 points)

7. Briefly describe the background of Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (1 point)

8. What decision did the Supreme Court reach in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.? (1 point)

9. The decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. was overturned by the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. Describe how this congressional statute overturned the earlier decision. (2 points)

There have been several controversial Supreme Court decisions in the past 50 years that many people believe should be overturned. Select one of the three cases listed below, and write a one- or two-paragraph response explaining how the decision in that case could be overturned. In your response, be sure to briefly describe the background of the case and which of the three ways — congressional statute, constitutional amendment, or subsequent Supreme Court ruling — you believe would be the most probable way the decision could be reversed. This section is worth 18 points.

Select one of these cases:

  • Kelo v. City of New London
  • Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission