Which of the Following Statements Properly Summarizes Baker V Carr?
Introduction
Baker v. Carr was a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 1962 that ruled that the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment requires that the apportionment of seats in a state legislature be based on population. This decision overturned the Court’s previous ruling in Colegrove v. Green (1946), which had held that challenges to the apportionment of legislative districts were nonjusticiable political questions.
Key Points
The key points of Baker v. Carr are as follows:
- The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment requires that the apportionment of seats in a state legislature be based on population.
- This requirement is not subject to the political question doctrine.
- The Court’s decision in Colegrove v. Green (1946) was overturned.
Significance
Baker v. Carr was a significant decision for several reasons. First, it established the principle that challenges to the apportionment of legislative districts are justiciable. This meant that the courts could now review the apportionment of legislative districts to ensure that they were in compliance with the Equal Protection Clause. Second, the decision led to a wave of redistricting cases in the 1960s and 1970s, which resulted in the redrawing of legislative districts to make them more representative of the population. Finally, the decision helped to lay the foundation for the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits discrimination in voting on the basis of race.
Statements Summarizing Baker V Carr
The following statements properly summarize Baker v. Carr:
- The Supreme Court ruled that the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment requires that the apportionment of seats in a state legislature be based on population.
- The Court overturned its previous ruling in Colegrove v. Green (1946), which had held that challenges to the apportionment of legislative districts were nonjusticiable political questions.
- Baker v. Carr led to a wave of redistricting cases in the 1960s and 1970s, which resulted in the redrawing of legislative districts to make them more representative of the population.
Conclusion
Baker v. Carr was a landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle that challenges to the apportionment of legislative districts are justiciable. The decision led to a wave of redistricting cases in the 1960s and 1970s, which resulted in the redrawing of legislative districts to make them more representative of the population. Baker v. Carr also helped to lay the foundation for the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Table 1: Key Points of Baker v. Carr
Key Point | Explanation |
---|---|
The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment requires that the apportionment of seats in a state legislature be based on population. | This means that each person’s vote must have equal weight in electing representatives to the state legislature. |
This requirement is not subject to the political question doctrine. | This means that the courts can review the apportionment of legislative districts to ensure that they are in compliance with the Equal Protection Clause. |
The Court’s decision in Colegrove v. Green (1946) was overturned. | This decision had held that challenges to the apportionment of legislative districts were nonjusticiable political questions. |
Table 2: Significance of Baker v. Carr
Significance | Explanation |
---|---|
Established the principle that challenges to the apportionment of legislative districts are justiciable. | This means that the courts can now review the apportionment of legislative districts to ensure that they are in compliance with the Equal Protection Clause. |
Led to a wave of redistricting cases in the 1960s and 1970s. | This resulted in the redrawing of legislative districts to make them more representative of the population. |
Helped to lay the foundation for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. | This act prohibits discrimination in voting on the basis of race. |
Table 3: Statements Summarizing Baker V Carr
Statement | Summary |
---|---|
The Supreme Court ruled that the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment requires that the apportionment of seats in a state legislature be based on population. | This is the key holding of the case. |
The Court overturned its previous ruling in Colegrove v. Green (1946), which had held that challenges to the apportionment of legislative districts were nonjusticiable political questions. | This decision opened the door to challenges to the apportionment of legislative districts. |
Baker v. Carr led to a wave of redistricting cases in the 1960s and 1970s, which resulted in the redrawing of legislative districts to make them more representative of the population. | This was a major impact of the case. |
Table 4: FAQs About Baker V Carr
Question | Answer |
---|---|
What is Baker v. Carr? | Baker v. Carr was a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 1962 that ruled that the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment requires that the apportionment of seats in a state legislature be based on population. |
What was the significance of Baker v. Carr? | Baker v. Carr was significant because it established the principle that challenges to the apportionment of legislative districts are justiciable, led to a wave of redistricting cases in the 1960s and 1970s, and helped to lay the foundation for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. |
What are the key points of Baker v. Carr? | The key points of Baker v. Carr are that the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment requires that the apportionment of seats in a state legislature be based on population, this requirement is not subject to the political question doctrine, and the Court’s decision in Colegrove v. Green (1946) was overturned. |