Procedures

• STEP 1.

  As a class, view the background video below and answer the questions to lay the foundation for students to understand this case.

• VIDEO CLIP: Baker v. Carr: Background of the Case (2:30)

  • Describe the problem state legislatures faced with regard to this case.

  • Explain the question that was being addressed between the federal courts and the state of TN.

• STEP 2.

  Students can either work independently or in groups to view the following video clips. They should take notes using the handout below:

  HANDOUT: Supreme Court Case: Baker v. Carr (Google Doc)

• VIDEO CLIP: Parties Involved (2:19)

  • Explain the different parties who were involved in this case.

  • Describe the process of how this case made its way to the Supreme Court.

• VIDEO CLIP: Two Questions before the Court (3:42)

  • What were the two questions the Supreme Court considered in this case?

  • Explain Charles Rhyne's background before joining the Baker team for the Supreme Court argument.

  • Explain the oral arguments presented by Charles Rhyne and Jack Wilson, TN Assistant Attorney General.

• VIDEO CLIP: The First Conference (3:37)

  • Describe the room where the Supreme Court Justices conference about its cases.

  • Explain the events and results of the first conference in Baker v. Carr.

• VIDEO CLIP: The Second Oral Argument (6:02)

  • Describe Justice Felix Frankfurter's point of view in the Baker v. Carr argument.

  • What was Attorney Charles Rhyne's counterargument?

  • Describe Justice William Brennan's point of view in the Baker v. Carr argument.

  • What was Tennessee Assistant Attorney General Jack Wilson's counterargument?

  • Explain how the Justices question during the oral argument in this and other cases. What is the purpose of this?

• VIDEO CLIP: The Second Conference, Decision, and Dissent (7:52)

  • Describe the results of the conference following the re-arguing of Baker v. Carr.

  • Why were there only 8 justices for this decision?

  • Explain Justice William Brennan's majority opinion.

  • Explain Justice Felix Frankfurter's dissenting opinion.

  • What do Justice Felix Frankfurter's notes from the Baker v. Carr case illustrate about the case and his beliefs?

• VIDEO CLIP: One Person, One Vote (4:16)

  • Explain the significance of the series of cases decided by the Supreme Court following the Baker v. Carr decision.

  • How did the cases cause a "revolution" in government according to Ted Olson?

• VIDEO CLIP: Significance of the Case (6:02)

  • Explain why Chief Justice Warren believed this was the most important case during his term on the Supreme Court.

  • According to Mr. Olson, why was this a significant case?

  • According to Mr. Smith, what was at the heart of Baker v. Carr?

  • Explain the conditions and circumstances through which the Justices were able to hear this case.

• STEP 3.

  As a class, discuss the significance of this case, the precedent it set, and its legacy.

• STEP 4.

  Choose an activity from C-SPAN Classroom's Deliberations site to engage in a structured student-centered analysis of the case.