Florida Civics Literacy Practice Exam

Which of the following cases reinforced the power of the courts?

1. Marbury

2. Plessy & Dred

3. Texas & Hazelwood

4. Brown v Board

The correct answer is: Marbury

The Marbury v. Madison case is a landmark case in U.S. legal history because it established the principle of judicial review, which allows the court to review laws and determine their constitutionality. This case reinforced the power of the courts by giving them the authority to declare laws passed by Congress or actions taken by the executive branch as unconstitutional. The other options listed did not have the same impact on the power of the courts. Plessy v. Ferguson and Dred Scott v. Sandford were cases that actually limited the power of the courts by upholding discriminatory laws and denying citizenship to African Americans. Texas v. Johnson and Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier were cases that addressed specific issues (flag burning and student expression) but did not have as broad of an impact on the power of the courts as Marbury v. Madison did. Brown v. Board of Education was a significant case in the fight against racial segregation in schools, but it did not directly address the power of the courts. Therefore, the correct answer is A.