Baker v. Carr (1962)

AP US Government and Politics

Prediction

1. What is the significance of Baker v. Carr?

2. Use Baker v. Carr in a sentence:

3. Describe a connection to Baker v. Carr in current events:

4. Find an image relating to Baker v. Carr:

Fun Facts

Definition

Baker v. Carr, 369 U.S. 186, was a landmark United States Supreme Court case from 1962 that established the right of federal courts to review redistricting issues, which had previously been termed "political questions" outside the courts' jurisdiction. The Court’s willingness to address legislative reapportionment in this Tennessee case paved the way for the “one man, one vote” standard of American representative democracy.

Sentence

Baker v. Carr is the reason that each U.S. House congressional district is roughly the same size in population. The average size of a congressional district based on the 2010 Census apportionment population will be 710,767

AP US Government and Politics

Video

Audio

Baker. v. Carr - Oral Reargument - October 09, 1961 (Part 1)

Supreme Court of the United States

Baker v. Carr - Oral Reargument - October 09, 1961 (Part 2)

Supreme Court of the United States

Under Pressure

David Bowie & Queen

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Questions

1. What is the Constitutional basis for the ruling in Baker v. Carr?

2. What was the most significant consequence of the ruling in Baker v. Carr?

3. What other landmark cases revolve around the question of redistricting?

4. How different would the U.S. be without the Baker v. Carr ruling?

5. Do you think the ruling in Baker v. Carr was a good ruling?

AP Studio Art

Now draw Baker v. Carr! Take 10 or 20 seconds. That’s all you need. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Now Look at your drawing. You’ve got it. That’s all.

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