Federal court cases have shaped popular culture and paved the way for civil liberties and reform. The power of the federal government to interfere with such topics as education and commerce and the ability to rule on cases was called into question several times. “Historic Court Cases,” documents some of the most politically stirring and long reaching court decisionsin history. It is a timeline of one nation’s quest to balance federal law with individual liberty and democracy.
Included Films:
Gibbons v. Ogden
Gibbons v. Ogden
Produced: 1977
Length: 36 Minutes
The 1824 court case Gibbons V. Ogden has been called the Emancipation Proclamation of Commerce. Gibbons v. Ogden, documents, through reenactments and an engrossing intro and outro, how the federal government affects, and should influence, commerce.
Marbury v. Madison
Marbury v. Madison
Produced: 1977
Length: 34 Minutes
Marbury v. Madison, documents, through reenactments and commentary, the landmark case which determined judicial review. It was the first time the Supreme Court deemed a law “unconstitutional” and changed law practices in the US forever.
McCulloch v. Maryland
McCulloch v. Maryland
Produced: 1977
Length: 36 Minutes
McCulloch v. Maryland, was a case brought before the courts about a state taxing a federal bank and fundamental boils down to a contest between state and federal jurisdiction. Through well acted reenactments the key issues of the case, how Chief Justice John Marshall reached his verdict, and the constitutionality of the laws, are examined.
United States v. Aaron Burr
United States v. Aaron Burr
Produced: 1977
Length: 73 Minutes
“United States v. Aaron Burr,” is a study of the 1807 case, presided by John Marshall, where Aaron Burr, former Vice President to Thomas Jefferson, was tried for treason. The charges were dropped, but this faithful reenactment shows the fiery nature of Aaron Burr, the specifics of his case, and the legalities of the Supreme Court ruling.
