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rex v. zenger
zenger published an article which pointed out the corrupt royal Governor, William cosby. zenger was accused of libel, which during this time period meant, you published information against the government. the case resulted in the favor of zenger, which caused other publishers to feel free to print their honest views. this case influenced the creation of the first amendment. -
The united states declares its independence
After multiple drafts, a final draft of the declaration of Independence was agreed upon and signed. This document allowed most people in America to have certain freedoms and protections that couldn't be taken away. which included the first amendment that guaranteed the rights to freedom of speech, religion, -
Reynolds v. united states
a Secretary to a Mormon church, challenged the supreme federal anti-bigamy statue. the supreme court found that the first amendment only protects religious beliefs, not religious practices. -
schenck v. united states
during world war I, schenck strongly believed that the drafting was wrong and supported a capitalist system. so he mailed draftees letter urging them to "not submit to intimidation", in a peaceful way. the supreme court found that since his actions occurred during a time of war, his actions required a punishment and he didn't have the right of free speech in this case -
west Virginia state board of education v barnette
it was made a requirement that at all public schools events a flag salute would be incorporated. a refusal to participate would considered "insubordination" and was punishable by expulsion and charges of delinquency. the supreme court found that requiring this was unconstitutional and that it infringed upon freedom of speech and religion -
new york times v sullivan
sullivan published a full page ad which supported the arrest of martin luther king jr. this was an attempt to destroy mlks, efforts to integrate public facilities and encourage blacks to vote. the supreme court found that sullivans actions affected kings credibility and weren't justified under the first amendment. -
Tinker v. Des Moines independent community school district
To protest against the Vietnam war, students wore black armbands. Students who wore the armbands were suspended, the students sued the school district shortly after. The supreme court found that the school did violate the students rights. Their form of protest was non-disruptive,passive, symbolic speech which cannot be censored just because it may make people uncomfortable. The "Tinker Test' was established which requires public schools to follow prior to restricting students freedom of speech. -
goss v lopez
9 students at an ohio school were given 10 day suspensions without being informed or given a chance to question the suspension. the supreme court found that the schools should be required to give the students a notice and have some discussion about their punishment -
bethel school district v fraser
during a school assembly, a student gave a speech to promote his friends candidacy. while giving his speech, he said what some believed was a graphic sexual metaphor. his actions resulted in a suspension. the supreme court backed up the school districts decision, by stating that it was appropriate for the school to prohibit vuglar and offensive language -
edwards v aguillard
Louisiana passed a law that prohibited the teaching of the theory of evolution in public schools, unless it was accompanied by the teaching of creation science. the supreme court ruled that this would result in the government giving financial support to achieve a religious purpose -
hazel wood school district v kuhlmeier
prior to the publication of the school news paper, the principle of the school deemed two articles, that the students had written, inappropriate. the students saw this as a restriction on their rights and brought the case to court. where it was determined that schools didn't have to promote particular types of student speech, like that school newspaper -
santa fe independent school district v doe
after an "overly christian" prayer was delivered by a student at a football game, students of other religion found it to be offensive. the court found that since it was student led the prayer was allowed to take place
