History of the Supreme Court

Overview

Trace the development of the Supreme Court from a body with little power to its current status as the most powerful and prestigious judicial institution in the world. For over two centuries, the Court has shaped daily life by defining the boundaries of speech and action since its inception in 1790.

In this comprehensive course, you’ll explore the key figures, cases, and historical moments that have defined the Supreme Court’s role in American history. With 36 engaging lectures from a noted law professor, you’ll gain insights into how individual justices, landmark rulings, and evolving legal doctrines continue to impact society today.

Video Lessons

01: Personality and Principle

Examine the Court’s evolution as an institution and the themes of continuity and conflict in its history.

Length: 34 min

02: Shaping the Constitution and the Court

Discuss the factors that led to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution and early debates on governance.

Length: 30 min

03: Ratification and the Bill of Rights

Explore the ratification debates and the addition of the Bill of Rights in 1791.

Length: 30 min

04: John Marshall Takes Control

Analyze the impact of Chief Justice John Marshall’s 34-year tenure and his significant rulings.

Length: 30 min

05: Impeachment, Contract, and Federal Power

Learn about the impeachment of Justice Samuel Chase and landmark cases that shaped federal power.

Length: 31 min

06: Roger Taney Takes Control

Examine how Chief Justice Taney’s views shifted the Court’s interpretation of the Constitution.

Length: 30 min

07: “A Small Pleasant-Looking Negro”

Investigate the Missouri Compromise and the Dred Scott case within the context of slavery in America.

Length: 30 min

08: The Civil War Amendments

Explore the effects of the Civil War and Reconstruction on the Court’s evolution and legal landscape.

Length: 30 min

09: “Separate but Equal”

Delve into the Plessy v. Ferguson decision and the establishment of the “separate but equal” doctrine.

Length: 31 min

10: Two Justices from Boston

Focus on the legal careers of Justices Holmes and Brandeis and their contributions to First Amendment rights.

Length: 30 min

11: The Laissez-Faire Court

Analyze the conflicts over “liberty of contract” and its implications during the late 19th century.

Length: 30 min

12: “Clear and Present Danger”

Discover how World War I influenced the limits of political protest and established the “clear and present danger” test.

Length: 30 min

13: The Taft Court and the Twenties

Examine the conservative Taft Court’s decisions amid post-war cultural shifts in America.

Length: 30 min

14: Wins and Losses for New Deal Laws

Investigate the reactions of the Court to President Roosevelt’s New Deal and its key rulings.

Length: 29 min

15: “Court Packing” and Constitutional Revolution

Explore Roosevelt’s attempt to pack the Court and the “Constitutional Revolution” of 1937.

Length: 30 min

16: The New Dealers Take Control

Understand how personnel changes during the Roosevelt administration impacted the Court’s direction.

Length: 30 min

17: “Beyond the Reach of Majorities”

Examine the Court’s role in protecting the rights of religious minorities through important rulings.

Length: 31 min

18: Pearl Harbor and Panic

Look into the legal cases arising from the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

Length: 30 min

19: The Supreme Court and the Communist Party

Discuss major rulings involving the Communist Party and the political climate of the Cold War.

Length: 30 min

20: Thurgood Marshall – Lawyer and Justice

Focus on Thurgood Marshall’s role in civil rights and the dismantling of Jim Crow laws.

Length: 30 min

21: Five Jim Crow Schools and Five Cases

Trace Marshall’s strategy in selecting cases that moved to the Supreme Court to challenge segregation.

Length: 30 min

22: The Hearts and Minds of Black Children

Investigate the implications of the Brown v. Board decision on education and civil rights.

Length: 30 min

23: “War Against the Constitution”

Explore the implementation challenges and societal backlash following the Brown decision.

Length: 30 min

24: Earl Warren – Politician to Chief Justice

Discuss the legacy of Chief Justice Earl Warren and the transformative decisions made during his tenure.

Length: 30 min

25: “We Beg Thy Blessings”

Analyze key rulings on religious neutrality and free speech made between 1947 and 1963.

Length: 30 min

26: “You Have the Right to Remain Silent”

Examine the evolution of defendants’ rights and landmark rulings under Chief Justice Warren’s leadership.

Length: 30 min

27: The Warren Court Reshapes the Constitution

Review several landmark decisions that reshaped American legal and social landscapes.

Length: 30 min

28: Earl Warren Leaves, Warren Burger Arrives

Consider the changes in Court philosophy with the transition from Warren to Burger.

Length: 30 min

29: “A Right to Privacy”

Explore the Court’s pivotal decisions affecting abortion rights and personal privacy.

Length: 30 min

30: From Abortion to Watergate

Analyze key rulings surrounding the Watergate scandal and their implications for executive power.

Length: 30 min

31: The Court Faces Affirmative Action

Investigate the Court’s decisions regarding affirmative action and the implications for diversity.

Length: 31 min

32: Down from the Pedestal, Out of the Closet

Examine how the Court’s rulings addressed issues of gender and sexual orientation.

Length: 30 min

33: Burning Flags and Burning Crosses

Discuss the Court’s decisions involving symbolic speech, including flag-burning and hate speech.

Length: 31 min

34: Prayer and Abortion Return to the Court

Review the continuity of legal battles over prayer in schools and abortion rights.

Length: 30 min

35: One Vote Decides Two Crucial Cases

Explore the Court’s significant decisions influenced by narrow margins and contentious issues.

Length: 30 min

36: Looking Back and Looking Ahead

Conclude with reflections on the historical themes of the Court and its future direction.

Length: 31 min