Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Social Studies Practice Exam

Gideon vs. Wainwright is significant because it directly addresses the 14th Amendment's guarantee of due process and equal protection under the law. The case established that the right to counsel is a fundamental right essential for a fair trial, which is implied through the 14th Amendment. In this landmark decision, the Supreme Court ruled that states are required to provide an attorney to defendants in criminal cases who cannot afford one, thereby ensuring that the legal system upholds the principles of fairness and justice for all individuals, regardless of their economic status. The other cases listed do not primarily focus on the interpretation of the 14th Amendment. Gibbons vs. Ogden relates to interstate commerce, Dred Scott vs. Sandford is known for its decision concerning slavery and citizenship but does not emphasize due process in the manner the 14th Amendment does, and Marbury vs. Madison is pivotal for establishing judicial review without being tied to the principles outlined in the 14th Amendment.