Apush unit 5 court cases

US vs Amistad

helped the abolitionist movement when returning slaves destined for Mexico back to Africa bc of a law which made participating in slave trade illegal

Prize cases

(1863) The Supreme Court's decision declared constitutional the blockade of the Southern ports ordered by President Abraham Lincoln. This was without a declaration of war because congress was not in session.

Prigg vs Pennsylvania

1842: Court ruled return of fugitive slaves was a federal power

Ableman v. Booth

1859 - it upheld the constitutionality of the Fugitive Slave Act

Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge

A state had a right to place the public's convenience over that of a private or particular company, over the presumed right of monopoly granted in a corporate charter.

Ex Parte Merryman

Abraham Lincoln declared a secret suspension of the writ of habeas corpus and had a number of opposition leaders, including Merryman, arrested. Taney found the president had acted unconstitutionally (only Congress can suspend the writ), but Lincoln simply ignored his ruling.

Dred Scott v. Sanford

Decided US Congress did not have the power to prohibit slavery in federal territories and slaves, as private property, could not be taken away without due process

Luther vs Borden

Shall guarantee to every state in this union a republican form of gov

Cooley vs. Board of Wardens

Supreme Court ruled that the federal government could preempt state law when regulating interstate commerce

Mayor of the City of NY vs Miln

Upheld state law that all boats docking in New York must provide a list of passengers and post security