Comparing Federal Power and State Rights in SCOTUS Cases

In the landmark Supreme Court cases Brown v. Board of Education (1954) and United States v. Lopez (1995), the Court addressed important issues related to federalism and civil rights. In Brown v. Board of Education, the Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, overturning the precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) that allowed for 'separate but equal' doctrine. Conversely, in United States v. Lopez, the Court limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause, ruling that the Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress's constitutional authority.

Using these two cases, compare and contrast the approaches taken by the Supreme Court in addressing federal power versus state rights, the implications of these rulings on American society, and how they illustrate the evolving interpretation of the Constitution. Be sure to include specific examples from each case in your response.