This activity explores the Supreme Court case Cantwell v. Connecticut (1940), which tested whether states could limit religious expression through permit laws and restrictions on speech. The Court ruled in favor of Newton Cantwell, saying that requiring a permit to share religious beliefs violated the First Amendment. This case was important because it marked the first time the Supreme Court applied the First Amendment’s protections of religious freedom and free speech to state laws, showing how the Constitution’s guarantees of individual rights were expanding through the 14th Amendment.
Included in this resource:
Supreme Court Case Spotlight analysis with scaffolding questions
Answer key for teachers (suggested)
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