Final answer:
The West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette case established that public schools cannot override students' religious beliefs by forcing them to salute the American flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette case dealt with the relationship between the principle of free speech and the flag salute. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that public schools cannot override students' religious beliefs by forcing them to salute the American flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Court recognized that requiring students to engage in patriotic rituals violated their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and freedom of religion.