Answer: Meyer v. Nebraska (1923)
In this landmark Supreme Court case, the court ruled that a Nebraska law prohibiting the teaching of foreign languages to students who had not yet completed the eighth grade was unconstitutional.
Facts of the case:
Robert Meyer, a teacher, was convicted of teaching German to a 10-year-old student who had not yet completed the eighth grade.
The Nebraska law aimed to promote Americanization and prevent the teaching of foreign languages in schools.
Supreme Court's decision:
The court held that the law violated the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment, which protects individual liberties.
The court ruled that the law was an unreasonable restriction on the liberty of teachers and students to engage in educational activities.
Significance:
The Meyer v. Nebraska case established the principle that the government cannot restrict the freedom of individuals to engage in educational activities without a compelling reason.
The case also marked an important milestone in the development of substantive due process, which protects individual rights from government interference.
In essence, the Meyer v. Nebraska case protected the rights of individuals to pursue education and cultural activities without undue government interference.
Explanation: