2. Gibbons v. Ogden
Overview- Aaron Ogden filed a complaint that
Thomas Gibbons couldn’t operate his
steamboats in the New York and interstate
waters because they were granted a
monopoly from the New York state
government to operate steamboats in this
water. Gibbons didn’t approve of this and
said according to Article 1 Section 8 of the
US Constitutions only the US Congress has
the power to regulate commerce with
foreign nations and between states.
3. Plaintiff’s Arguments
• Gibbons argued that the regulation of
commerce relies to the US Congress under
Article 1 Section 8 of the US Constitution
• He also argued that the New York state
Government couldn’t grant a person
regulation over interstate waters
4. Defense’s Arguments
• Ogden argued that according to the New York
state Law he should be the only person
operating his steamboats in the water
• Ogden argued hat the power of commerce
regulation should be shared between the
state and the government and the Fulton-
Livingston monopoly should be upheld
5. The Decision
• The courts decided that Gibbons is allowed to
operate his steamboats between New York
and New Jersey because only the US Congress
is allowed to regulate commerce between
states the Fulton-Livingston monopoly is
destroyed
• Article 1 section 8 of the Constitution was
used to determine the courts decision
6. Brown v. Board of Education
Overview- In Topeka, Kansas the Brown family
would have to walk to a bus stop through a
railroad switchyard because they had to go to
their all black school when there was an all
white school closer to there house. Linda
Brown wanted her family to go to closer
school but, it was for whites. She said it
violated her 14 amendment and brought it to
the supreme court.
7. Plaintiff's Arguments
• The Browns argued that having the schools
separate violated the Constitution.
• Linda Brown argued that under the 14
Amendment that people should be treated
equally under the law and that the schools
were denying her of that.
• The Browns argued that the schools could
never be equal to each other.
9. The Decision
• The courts decided that having segregation is
unconstitutional and did not use the decision
from Plessy v. Ferguson
• The courts decision was decided by using the
14 Amendment
10. Korematus v. United States
Overview- Fred Korematus did not want to be
put into an interment camp so instead he
relocated and said he was Mexican. Eventually
the us found out and convicted him of
violating an executive order. Korematus tried
to challenge the US to prevent his charges
against.
11. Plaintiff’s Arguments
• Korematus argued that the United States
violated his rights as a person.
• Korematus argued that relocating the
Japanese was beyond the power of Congress,
military and the President.
12. Defendant’s Arguments
• The United States argued that putting the
Japanese in these interment camps were to
protect the United States
13. The Decision
• The Supreme Court sided with the United
States that it was need to protect the United
States. The courts also decided that it did not
violate the 14 Amendment.
• The courts decision was decided by using the
14 Amendment
14. Summary
• The Landmark cases that I studied all had life
changing events that changed the way
America is whether it was preventing a
monopoly in steamboats or preventing
schools from being segregated between
whites and blacks. Either way these cases had
changing events in America’s history.
