Citizens United v. F.E.C.

Definition

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, (2010), was a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the United States regarding campaign finance laws and free speech under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In the Citizens United case, a 5-4 Court ruled that the First Amendment protects the right to free speech, even if the speaker is a corporate identity.

Example

Questions

1. What Amendment does Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission involve?

2. What clause of that Amendment does Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission involve?

3. What institution does Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission limit?

4. What were some of the most important details of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission?

5. Had you been on the Supreme Court how would you have ruled in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission?

6. Turn Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission into an emoji?

7. What would change if Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission were overturned by the current Supreme Court?

8. Do you think corporate speech should be protected the same as individual speech?

9. How did Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission impact campaign spending?

10. Do you agree with the ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission?

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission! Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

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Further Review