Top 10 Court Cases that Changed America

It's the law of the land, and the land where nothing is more important than the law. Join www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the Top 10 Court Cases that Changed America. Subscribe►► / subscription_c. . Facebook►► / watchmojo . Twitter►► / watchmojo Instagram►► / watchmojo Suggestion Tool►►www.WatchMojo.com/suggest Channel Page►► / watchmojo
For this list, we're looking at court rulings from the United States that had a significant historical impact in shaping the country that exists today.
Special thanks to our users Cunnin145, Thomas Mitchell Friend, Nana Amuah, Lindzzze and Andy Roehl for submitting the idea using our interactive suggestion tool at www.WatchMojo.com/suggest
Check out the voting page here,
watchmojo.com/suggest/Top+10+l...
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We update DAILY with 4-5 Top 10 lists, Origins, Biographies, Versus clips on movies, video games, music, pop culture and more!

[@CptKirby]

Marbury v. Madison should have been #1 as many of the other entries couldn't happen without it.

[@damesjugan513]

I completely with you

[@3eighty6]

+Dames Jugan You dumbass.

[@chayden153]

You're right

[@RetroGamerGuys]

True. Were it not for Marbury v Madison, pretty much all supreme court cases would be null. The Supreme Court's power of judicial review is really the only power it has since it does not have the army backing it (as the president does) or the power of the purse backing it (as Congress does).

[@emmaramirez4330]

This is Watchmojo, so I wouldn't expect logic

[@jessenorwalt3936]

Marbury verses Madison is by far the most important supreme court case of all time... Without it the supreme court could not have had judicial review, which means all the others would have never happened.

[@Arcadio_Castellanoz]

How does Marbury v. Madison NOT make the top 3??

[@151drum]

Furthermore how was it not #1?

[@charlesbird781]

I agree. The very essence of finality that permeates Supreme Court decisions flows directly from Marbury v. Madison.

[@CardsNHorns04]

EXACTLY! Without Marbury v. Madison, Roe v. Wade nor Citizens United would have an opportunity to be ruled upon.

[@brentgranger7856]

How is it not #1?

[@brettwilson2589]

AJ Sees Movies because progressives beat the foundations they use to stand on...

[@WatchMojo]

Holla! The good people over at MSMOJO are publishing..... "Top 10 Best Trips to Take Before You're 30~!" today. That's going to be a pretty sweet video so you should get on over to their channel and SUBSCRIBE NOW kzbin.info

[@TripperTrail]

No other case is more important than Marbury v. Madison! It set up judicial review. Without it, we may not have had these cases.

[@WatchMojo]

Be sure to follow WatchMojo on www.Twitter.com/WatchMojo, instagram.com/watchmojo for sneak peeks at upcoming videos, and an inside look into WatchMojo HQ! and like us www.Facebook.com/WatchMojo to get Facebook exclusive content including Quickies: Top 10s in under 2 minutes.

[@bennybeetle572]

no

[@thelastattempt666]

We need more interesting top 10s like this one

[@CottonKerndy2000]

+WatchMojo.com Hey, I'm learning about Brown vs Board of Education and all those 1960's trials right now. :D

[@Trigga_Tre]

What about the OJ murder case??

[@milessnoddy9767]

+Tre Evans I think they jus talking about the cases that changed America as a whole not jus how we viewed a former athlete

[@KidGreeD14]

what about batman V Superman?

[@knoodles361]

XD

[@haroldkwong6108]

LOLz!!!

[@johngrant8818]

CANT WAIT

[@TheMostUninterestingMan]

Tell me, do you settle out of court? YOU WILL!

[@Cartman4wesome]

We still don't have the courts final decision yet

[@MrDuneedon]

According to Lionel Hutz, the most pivotal court case in the history of jurisprudence was Finders v. Keepers.

[@NoodleyBits]

+MrDunedon Not Losers v. Weepers?

[@MrDuneedon]

FarfalleAlfredo Oh, no doubt...that was a landmark decision, as well. :-)

[@kenneth1997]

You mean Finders and Keepers v. Losers and Weepers.

[@darrylbarker505]

SHIRTS v. SKINS

[@SuperMathewson]

Dred Scott should have been in the top 3. The Civil War was basically unstoppable after that decision

[@soccerlovin1]

Marbury V Madison should honestly be #1 if you are discussing influence on the future of America.

[@Sniperkitten971]

That's actually the best Watchmojo video I've seen in a loooooong time. Learned a lot ! Good job !

[@Natromat]

I'm not even American but how does Plessy vs Ferguson not get at least an honourable mention?

[@75Everett47]

Strongly agree

[@400Awesomo]

Who’s here after the Supreme Court of Justice struck down Roe vs Wade?

[@clocktimemastermind4011]

Me! Im still upset and frustrated about the whole Roe V Wade case overturned

[@clocktimemastermind4011]

Me! Im still upset and frustrated about the whole Roe V Wade case overturned

[@jahn77]

Surprise that O.J. case wasn't on this list.

[@ericnguyen00]

The oj case wasn't very important. It didn't change anything all in the United States. It was a social problem rather than one that could ever create an impact

[@jahn77]

Eric Nguyen True

[@CardsNHorns04]

+Jah N The OJ case didn't change American jurisprudence. However, it did make people more interested in trials which lead to the rise of Court TV and high profile trials being televised. Also, it gave rise to the drama court tv (aka Judge Judy) where the arbitrator (yes, Judge Judy is not a judge, she is an arbitrator) decides an actual case for people.

[@nexttvmarketing]

+CardsNHorns04 True....

[@jahn77]

I don't Want To Change My Name, KZbin. Fuck Off. Chill kid don't get butt hurt about what I said.

[@cory5258]

Good job having the video start over when revealing the number 1 case

[@Samir-rd8xp]

how is roe v wade more important than Brown vs board of education ?????????

[@tomasburns9513]

Brown v. The Education Board of Topeka was way more important than Roe v. Wade.

[@wrendavies960]

I think Plessy V Ferguson should have been mentioned, it made the lives of so many people so much worse

[@wrendavies960]

The main thing was it made it legal to lynch black people on suspicion of a crime

[@CultistKingQ]

It was mentioned

[@charlieminaj2]

Rhys Davies Muslims do that regularly if you are married and shag another man in Muslim countries? You get stoned? Plus if you’re gay you get thrown off a building? What’s worse??🤯🤯

[@germandelperson]

I love how MOJO is always making videos Was super curious on this in the middle of night about court cases

[@Coconutmoniscool]

This is actually a good list topic

[@_starter]

Id love to watch a documentary on each of these including the honorable mentions

[@giovannitrejo3518]

shouldn't Marbury v Madison be #1 since that basically gave the Court the power that it now has.

[@mikolkindlejr249]

Glad to see Brown v Board in the top 3

[@TsarofScars]

Gibbons v. Ogden. It set the precedent that Congress would control interstate trade but not intrastate trade. It was a huge case, and it even revoked the NRA during FDR's New Deal for getting out of the Great Depression. Quite an important case. Also, Marbury v. Madison set the precedent of judicial review in court cases, so that makes it even more important.

[@followjustcallme_dell5058]

I love this! You guys should really post more historical top tens! u guys should change ur format, maybe have an actual show like young turks. I would definitely watch it!:)))))

[@theonemrtom101]

No? Post more, yes, change their format, hell no.

[@tammy7087]

I received my law degree from Duck Branch University where I learned the finer points of constitutional law such as : The second ammendment says all men have the right to keep and arm bears ; Landmark decisions like Row verses Wade that decided proper fishing procedures. I've never lost a case.

[@divyanshusingh7124]

Marbury v. Madison has to be #1. The impact of that case is insane. I study it in India for UPSC. It created the concept of Judicial Review.

[@MrLylehammer]

Marbury v. Madison should have been #1 because all the other cases couldn't have happened without it. Also, Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) should have been a spot, Brown v. Board wouldn't have happened if Plessy v. Ferguson didn't happen. Also, Loving v. Virginia (1967) should have been on this list. It made interracial marriage legal in ALL 50 states, at the time there was 16 states that banned interracial marriage (they were ALL Southern states).

[@angel2901]

Thank U! I was just about to write that comment. Without Marbury v Mason there would be no other cases.

[@Crzypengu]

If this video comes out today, does that mean it will not be one year old until the next leap year?

[@WessCNY]

What about Finders V Keepers?

[@DoubleITman]

+WessCNY Overturned in Losers v Weepers

[@UNOwen-ih8mg]

This is something we need to know.

[@antoniohansen8820]

Amazing!!

[@sarapollock2647]

Helped me with modern studies hw thanks!

[@averyabbott4162]

I was hoping that the Scopes trail would have an actual place on the list not just a honorable mention

[@MrJoekinggiant74]

well I learn some stuff today

[@kostathomas8732]

Not your body. Not your choice

[@nightmagister]

+Delaney Costa "Retarded" people also aren't able to do proper choices and we still don't kill them.

[@FireForShiroHana]

+Delaney Costa and? A fetus isn't capable of many things let alone get to decide if it lives or not, in some cases if the mother gives birth there's a chance that both will die. I'd like for you to tell them, every lady that their reason is wrong and cannot be validated solely because you said so. That and rape is wrong so if a woman want's an abortion let them and don't say adoption because not enough people are adopting, that and the cells can be used to advance medical research to cure diseases. Sort of a win win if you ask me.

[@Adrian12374]

The fetus is not your body, it's the fetus' body. That's like saying your part of your mom's body smh rest in piss

[@wschippr1]

+ʍoɥ ǝɯ pǝʍoɥs ɥɐlᴉlǝp llᴉ┴, ɹǝɔuɐp ɐ sɐʍ I ʍǝuʞ ɹǝʌǝN Actually it's the opposite for adoption. There are lots of ppl that want to adopt it's just the process is incredibly hard and expensive.

[@wschippr1]

+Adrian12374 yes but self determination wins out. My body is mine and mine alone and I should determine what happens to it. Another person's life being dependent on my body makes no difference, I should be able to choose what happens to it. If a a person needs a kidney and I am compatible should I have to give them one? I am more than capable of surviving with one kidney.

[@darishennen898]

You guys missed Wickard v Filburn, Korematsu, Schenk and Heller.

[@jessicagreen1478]

Watching the number one pick now in 2022 hurts:(

[@imdascottman6853]

I remember learning about half of the trials mentioned. Back then, they were doing what they believed was right at the time. I don't wish to condone or condemn what they did in the past. I wish to learn from the past and make a better future. That's the thing about history. History was never meant to be looked down upon or ignored; it is meant to teach us something. This way we can better understand not only our heritage, but also our legacy. What would life be with out history? I'd rather not answer that question.

[@Lalo_thr]

Of course not even an honorable mention for Mendez V Westminster, the court case that ended segregation in public schools almost a full decade before the brown vs Topeka case. Mexican Americans were the first to challenge the public school system in court and paved the way for the civil rights movement to prevail, but we never get the credit where credit is due. 👎

[@guodade2239]

Mendez was actually a Ninth Circuit case, so it does not qualify. However, it is certainly very significant in paving the way for desegregation in the “Lower North” (free states bordering slave states) Brown, yet is even less known, I think than Smith v. Allwright. Smith v. Allwright should have been here given its affects on black political participation in the old Confederacy (at least in the Rim South, Atlanta and Acadiana). Historians have recently recognised the importance of Smith v. Allwright, as in Robert Mickey’s ‘Paths out of Dixie’, but Mendez v. Westminster has not been assessed in that manner.

[@iowasenator]

Another rather important case was Tinker vs Des Moines.

[@dsquaredmen9129]

Top 10 best game soundtracks.

[@jarronwilliams7227]

Whatever morals you feel about abortion are irrelevant. What is relevant is holding executive power over someone's bodily functions. To ban a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy would allow the government to dictate what a woman did with her very own body. Her very own being (yes the fetus is all hers since the fetus cannot survive outside of her, she has to feed it and deal with everything that comes with it) would be controlled by federal law in a way that federal law does not control the bodies of men, which means that law would be discriminatory based solely on gender... thus, it is unconstitutional, and will be until men can get pregnant.

[@Zenkai76]

+Jarron Williams What about the babies body? I guess we can just abort 8 months pregnant because they are leaching on a womans body. People like you make me sick

[@jarronwilliams7227]

You can remove the child at 8 months and it may survive. A child in those first three months will not survive, so you cant offer that child anything better than what the mother is willing to offer

[@Zenkai76]

Jarron Williams A child at 24 weeks is fully formed but just needs to gain weight and there are plenty of cases of them surviving outside of a womb, yet it's legal to terminate them. It shouldn't take you 24 weeks to decide to kill something inside you.

[@jarronwilliams7227]

Fine then, just have the baby removed. Let someone else take care of it

[@elimarlark]

+Xenkai76 "I guess we can just abort 8 months pregnant because they are leaching on a womans body." No women legally can't. Most late term abortions are illegal in the United States.

[@austintrigloff9562]

citizens united should be overturned.

[@micahbenally5139]

Wouldn't it allow the other party to do the exact same to first party, like if Republicans run ads and spends however much they they need to, under Citizens United, what's stopping the Democrats from doing the exact same thing to Republicans?

[@swissmed4606]

+Austin Trigloff Its a very good idea in theory, just very easily abused

[@charlieminaj2]

Micah Benally Democrats do that regularly🤣🤣😅😅🖕🏻🖕🏻

[@gammaae4294]

My US history teacher is going to love this video.

[@socaliente2543]

Great story about Miranda. He was retried without the confession and was found guilty (he confessed to his wife and she dimed him out). Miranda was later stabbed and killed in a bar fight. No one talked to the police and his killer was never found.

[@calebcalhoun9847]

*Sees number one* Me: I hope someone picks up that phone cuz I fucking called it

[@heydude8392]

Look it's a non anime related video :D

[@hepchaos]

One of the most influential laws passed was when the Supreme Court gave Corporations personhood under the Bill of Rights, back in the 1880's. That has been the chief architecture under which the U.S. economy has developed since then.

[@CaptainWaibeoer]

Actually most of the economy architecture is concrete, reebar, and probably wood.

[@fluffy4427]

I decided to skip through the selections due to video length can someone tell me if they said Plessy vs Ferguson? Thanks.

[@sammartin227]

What about the decision by the Supreme Court to abolish prayer in schools or bible reading in public schools! Engel v. Vitale, Abington School District v. Schempp, and Lemon v. kurtzman. LIKE WHERE ARE THESE CASES IN THIS VIDEO THEY SHOULD BE IN THE TOP 3 IF NOT NUMBER ONE

[@James.c]

I'm glad they abolished prayer

[@rodionraskolnikov7455]

Please say "versus."

[@riDQlous441]

Thumbnail, SUPERR CEREAL!!!

[@Aivottaja]

Not even a mention of Hustler Magazine v. Falwell. Then again, it's Watchmojo we're talking about here. Buzzfeed Light.

[@akosbarati2239]

+Aivottaja It didn't change everyone's lives, and if I'm not mistaken, even Playboy stopped publishing naked pictures, losing out to the internet.

[@Aivottaja]

Akos Barati That's not the point. The effect it had is. Or maybe it was one of the other numerous lawsuits Flynt was involved in. Either way, the man did a lot for free speech and does not get enough recognition for it.

[@akosbarati2239]

Aivottaja I think they covered free speech with the libel lawsuit case.

[@BLRtactics]

Europe is a nice Country.

[@officerk8697]

+Hello. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Africa is my favorite country. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@mrgahoolefan3615]

+Robo beaver You *are* aware that Africa is a continent, not a country, right?

[@officerk8697]

***** In my country Africa we don't have good education.

[@harrypotterisbetterthantwi9585]

Nope

[@StellarStatic]

Yes it is X3

[@jthompson189]

Roe v. Wade is not nearly as important in the history of the struggle for rights (don't get me wrong it is very important). Such issues would seem trivial if you don't even have basic rights of a citizen or even as a human being.

[@sean.anthony6044]

I'm learning about court cases in school Illuminati confirmed

[@jerrydellasala7643]

Would like to see an update on this.

[@Theguy5117]

How is Marbury v Madison not #1

[@ozlek7853]

No Batman v Superman?

[@mikeh5399]

Awesome video. I like seeing something other than pop culture. Keep it up!!

[@999Patriots]

10. Plessy v. Ferguson. 9. Obergfell vs Hodges. 8. Dred Scott vs Sandford. 7. Erie Vs Thompkins. 6. Rosenburg vs The United States. 5. Bush vs Gore. 4. International Shoe Vs Washington. 3. Roe vs Wade 2. Brown vs Board of Education. 1. Marbury vs Madison

[@sjcal629]

Im calling that roe v. wade will be up in the top 3

[@PolishSausage]

LOL

[@Jaymoney-yc6ke]

5 years ago and still only have 3 likes

[@darishennen898]

Roe is up there with Dred Scott as one of the worst decisions ever.

[@Specter053]

I think Linus V Palmer should be on this list. The Called "Murderer Heir", this case showed that the Supreme Court can overrule not only other laws, but also contracts made by people, if said contract hurts the dignity of one of its parts (like no one can benefit from its own turpitude).

[@minute-longrants2316]

Top 10 Cases that Impacted Pop Culture...!

[@anthonyra2010]

The new one will be Apple v. Fbi 😏

[@Bbknuckles]

As a paralegal I always study case law. My personal favorites subjects in law.

[@psychogrodus1]

I think McCulloch v. Maryland should've been number 1 and Lochner v. New York should've gotten a mention

[@sidewindersith]

#makedonalddrumpfagain

[@katra777]

Citizens United was the most important to me. Moment in time we lost a major part of our democracy.

[@jacoblapsley4744]

Also, the Dred Scott case stated slaves were bound by the state they were bought in, not where they lived, and technically allowed slavery anywhere within the United States by the Supreme Court's definition, even in free states

[@vaderthegreater]

Every time you say 'v' instead of 'versus,' I die a little.

[@paksta]

Why? Are you a Latin fan?

[@karmicobsession1636]

In all legal briefs the case title is always something v. Something.

[@Lyanno99]

why do Americans call the United States "America"? America is the entire continent...

[@jonathansibrian695]

+Lyanno99 true

[@originalmorton2066]

Well tbh we are the only country here with it in our name

[@Gangster55611]

Wow you are stupid

[@IncontrolgamingHD]

Well north and south america, america itself is a combination of continents

[@ds.6647]

We are States/ territories that are United. In the continent of America. How is that difficult to understand?

[@BrigadierPerez]

Marbury vs Madison should have been #1 watch mojo fails once again ._.

[@andyv16012]

Warren v. District of Columbia. That's one as a Police Officer that still blows my mind.

[@antdell8730]

Same on the SCOTUS! Giving us W!!

[@KappaClaus]

Top 10 Cases that cyka blyat

[@ESocks4900]

top 10 pornstars of 2015 pleaaase!

[@GrogMindwhip]

If you ever decide to make a sequel, consider this case: United States v. One Book Called Ulysses.

[@sm3xiiis0p3s]

Can you do a list like this for Canada and other countries? This has been one of the more interesting lists in a while.

[@cristelahopkins447]

" The Florida supreme court called for a recount." OMG LMAO again! CORRECTION: the recount ALREADY HAPPENED! The left-leaning Florida supreme court was calling for a re-recount because Bush won both counts. It was a complete joke! The US supreme court put a stop to the idiocy coming from the FL supreme court. MOJO, you're just getting sloppy now

[@bulbinking]

A loooot of misinformation on some of these cases. I mean, I'm not surprised because you're canadians and don't understand how anything in the world works (or how to speak proper english) so this is just a warning to any ignorant people reading the comments.

[@user-ti2ph6qb1y]

Stfu

[@WatchMojo]

+bulbinking everything is correct in this video.

[@FieryRedmond]

+bulbinking *Canadians *English It's your own damn language. Learn how to capitalize.

[@bothellkenmore]

+bulbinking would it be too much to request some facts to your statements?

[@Upup2211]

+applemaggot Considering it's a troll talking out of its ass, probably.

[@flodobird]

What about the Averys?

[@leo123noonan5]

Please do Cases for the uk

[@narwhocalypse9656]

It's funny to see all the cultists and others trying to spread misinformation about abortion.

[@Minecrafter12videocr]

Change the title to United States instead of America. Anyone who lives outside of the US hates that. Here is my dislike

[@NoodleyBits]

+Vgamer TV Then why, when they are coming here, they say "I'm going to America". Here's your dislike.

[@miltonhernandez2591]

Watch mojo are Canadian and I don't think it bothers them

[@Minecrafter12videocr]

FarfalleAlfredo You think I wrote this comments to get likes? I don't care if I get 1000 dislikes

[@NoodleyBits]

Vgamer TV I think you wrote it to be a dumbass.

[@docbrown2020]

MURICA...happy? Now get triggered!

[@chrisnemec5644]

Munn vs. Illinois (1877) should have been mentioned. This case stated that businesses were not above the law and subject to federal, state and local regulations to serve the public interest. The firm of Munn and Scott sued the state of Illinois over a regulation of what they could charge for the storage of agricultural products, arguing that this was deprivation of property without due process. The Supreme court disagreed, saying that all levels of government have the ability to regulate businesses to protect the public interest.

[@karmicobsession1636]

BAPI doctrine!!!!!!

[@HankTheTank23]

I'd say putting Roe v. Wade as #1 was a mistake. It's certainly a famous and important case, but Marbury v. Madison was more important. Roe v. Wade would have never happened without it.

[@abdullahhassan3320]

what is that background song it is fire

[@josecarrilloii4036]

How did the *1968 Terry vs. Ohio case* not make the list?

[@emooney2000]

wow I've never been this early

[@DrStrangeLove2050]

Top 10 Court Cases that Changed Canada would be interesting as well...

[@lazyperfectionist1]

"I am telling you that when the _President_ does it, then it is _not_ illegal." I understand being scandalized by this, but don't use a fictionalized recreation when the _actual_ footage is available.

[@kyle1847]

The simple fact that Marbury v. Madison only made #8 in this countdown means that whoever compiled this list has no idea what the hell they are doing. In terms of "court cases that changed America", Marbury v. Madison is the court case that gave the U.S Supreme Court the power of judicial review. It could be argued that it's all opinion, and I would agree with that on nearly all the others, but Marbury v. Madison literally made every other court case on this list possible. And Roe v. Wade is #1? Give me a break. This list is for top court cases that changed America, not the most controversial. I'm not saying it doesn't belong, but you could swap #1 and #8 and it would be a much better list.

[@N.J.C95]

You actually got all of them right.

[@Popperite]

I do think that Edwards vs Aguillard should be in there.

[@japhygato]

Marbury v. Madison sounds like the most important one. None of the others carry any weight without that decision. Kind of an inevitable ruling too when you think about it. No body of power would decide against increasing their power. And that's why people suck.

[@kellychuang8373]

These court cases really had a profound effect on America as a whole.

[@SandyTheDesertFox]

I love Obergefell V Hodges the most personally, it was one of the happiest days of my life hearing that gay marriage was legal everywhere. I remember riding my bike with my mom and she told me about it. 'Even Texas?!?' I asked. 'Even Texas.'

[@Crobenick]

what the background music watchmojo use for this video?