Florida Civic Literacy Practice Exam

Which case is associated with the First Amendment?

1. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

2. McCulloch v. Maryland

3. Tinker v. Des Moines

4. Gideon v. Wainwright

The correct answer is: Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

The case of Tinker v. Des Moines is closely associated with the First Amendment, specifically regarding the rights to free speech in public schools. In this landmark decision, the Supreme Court ruled that students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate." The case involved students wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War, and the Court held that their actions constituted a form of symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment. Tinker v. Des Moines is pivotal in understanding the applicability of free speech rights in educational settings, reinforcing the idea that expression, as long as it does not disrupt school activities, is a fundamental part of the educational experience and constitutionally protected. Understanding this case helps students grasp the broader implications of the First Amendment in contemporary society, particularly regarding youth and their rights.