Florida Civics Literacy (FCLE) Practice Exam

Which case had a significant impact on interpretation of the 14th Amendment?

1. Brown v Board

2. Marbury

3. Plessy & Dred

4. Texas & Hazelwood

The correct answer is: Brown v Board

One of the key factors in determining the significance of a case is its long-term impact on legal interpretation and social policy. In this context, options B, C, and D are all relatively minor cases in comparison to the landmark ruling in Brown v Board of Education, which declared segregation in public education unconstitutional and had far-reaching effects in dismantling racial discrimination in other areas. Marbury v Madison, while a highly influential case in establishing judicial review, did not have as direct of an impact on the 14th Amendment specifically. Plessy v Ferguson and Dred Scott v Sandford, while both important historical cases that involved the 14th Amendment, ultimately upheld racial segregation and slavery respectively, and thus their impact on interpretation of the amendment differs greatly from that of Brown v Board. Finally, while Texas v Johnson and Hazelwood v Kuhlmeier both involved significant issues related to constitutional rights, they did not have as broad of an impact on interpretation of the 14th Amendment as Brown v Board did. Therefore, given the significance and lasting effects of Brown v Board, it can be considered the most significant case when it comes to the interpretation of the 14th Amendment.