Question

List three historical issues that have been used to debate the different interpretations of the Constitution. Then choose one of those issues to describe in detail.

Answer 1

Brown Vs Board of Education sparked debate on civil rights as described in the Constitution.

Roe Vs Wade was about women's right to abortion.

Bush Vs Gore determined who won the election in Florida and ultimately the presidential election.

In the last case, state law in Florida required recount of ballots if the totals were very close. But Gore only requested recounts in four counties. FL Supreme Court ordered a statewide recount instead. US Supreme Court stepped in and ruled that FL court's action violated the Equal Protection Clause in the Constitution by using different standards of counting in different counties. The recount was stopped and Bush won.

Answer 2

Brown Vs Board of Education and Roe Vs Wade are good Supreme Court cases that interpreted the Constitution. But a more basic issue was the Bill of Rights which were left out of the Constitution and added later as the first amendments.

The Bills of Rights were important documents protecting rights of people. The founders wanted to put them in the Constitution but there were disagreements on what they should include. Debates dragged on and they needed to pass a Constitution. So the Bills of Rights were left off and added as the first amendments.