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Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Schenck v. United States

For Students 9th - 10th
This encyclopedia entry summarizes the landmark Supreme Court case of Schenck v. United States, which pitted the right of free speech against the 1917 Espionage Act.
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Website
University of Missouri

Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: The "Clear and Present Danger" Test

For Students 11th - 12th
Modern first amendment law was formed by cases during the WWI era. Were dissent and subversive activity protected by freedom of speech? Examine five cases that answered this constitutional question. Included are the full opinions of the...
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Unit Plan
National Constitution Center

National Constitution Center: Interactive Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a wonderful way to explore the US Constitution. The actual text of the Constitution comes first, then an excellent explanation of the text follows. In addition, most of the Amendments have essays by scholars on opposing sides of...
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Handout
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: Article Iii: Categories of Contempt

For Students 9th - 10th
An in-depth look at the different types of contempt of court, in the United States legal system.
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Primary
George Washington University

Nsa: The Pentagon Papers: Secrets, Lies, and Audiotapes

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers an extensive history of the 1971 Pentagon Papers case. Features include transcripts of President Nixon's tapes, White House phone conversations, memoirs, and other primary resources.
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Primary
Boston College

Boston College: Schenck v. United States

For Students 9th - 10th
Read the decision of this landmark Supreme Court decision involving the 1917 Espionage Act Schenck v. United States (1919).
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Activity
Illinois Institute of Technology

Oyez Project: Schenck v. United States (1919)

For Students 9th - 10th
This U.S. Supreme Court case established the famous "clear and present danger" doctrine by dealing with the issue of freedom of speech. This resource provides an abstract containing a summary, a link to the full text of the decision, and...
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Activity
Illinois Institute of Technology

Oyez Project: Dennis vs. United States

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief summary of Dennis v. United States, a First Amendment case decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1951 involving limits to the freedom of speech. Includes portraits of the justices on the court of the time and information about how...
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Website
University of Missouri

Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: Regulation of Fighting Words and Hate Speech

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the constitutional conflict regarding the question of whether the first amendment limits the government's ability to regulate fighting words or hateful speech? This source contains background information and links to historical...
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Activity
Illinois Institute of Technology

Oyez Project: United States v. Butler (1936)

For Students 9th - 10th
This U.S. Supreme Court case declared the first Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) of the New Deal illegal because of the issue of Federalism. This resource provides an abstract containing a concise summary, a link to the full text of the...
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Primary
Illinois Institute of Technology

Oyez Project: Masson v. New Yorker Magazine, Inc. (1991)

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This summary examines the impact of the 1991 US Supreme Court decision regarding the attribution of quotes to sources used in journalistic articles. Includes links to the full case, audio files, and how the justices voted on the case.
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Activity
Other

Insight: Should There Be a Chaplain in Congress?

For Students 9th - 10th
This site discusses the issue of whether having a chaplain in the Congress is contradictory to the First Amendment. It includes a discussion of the related Supreme Court case, Marsh vs. Chambers. (Published March 20, 2000)