Question

On what did the Supreme Court base their decision in Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925)?

A. Their opinions of the Oregon public schools.
B. Their interpretations of the Constitution.
C. Their estimates of what the electorate wanted.
D. Their personal judgments of fairness.

Answer 1

The Supreme Court's decision in Pierce v. Society of Sisters was based on their interpretations of the Constitution, specifically the Fourteenth Amendment's provisions for individual liberties and parental rights.

Step-by-step explanation:

Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925)

The Supreme Court based their decision in Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925) on their interpretations of the Constitution. Specifically, the Court ruled that the Oregon law, which required all children to attend public schools, was unconstitutional as it interfered with the rights of parents to choose religious or other private education for their children, infringing upon the protections offered by the Fourteenth Amendment. This legal decision recognized the importance of parental liberty and the concept of substantive due process in making decisions concerning the education of children.

Furthermore, the Court sought to balance the need for societal order while protecting individual liberties. This echoes the challenging nature of their role in establishing precedents that often reflect the values and ideals of society, while adhering to the tenets of the Constitution.