Dartmouth College v. Woodward 1819 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What was granted to create a seminary for educating Indians in 1769?

A corporate charter by King George III (correct)

A state legislature

Federal funding

A private contract

What did the charter of Dartmouth College include?

Purpose of the school

Structure to govern it

Land granted to the college

All of the above (correct)

Who was the President of Dartmouth College in 1779?

John Wheelock

The Board of Trustees at Dartmouth College supported Montgomery Wheelock.

False Signup and view all the answers

What did the New Hampshire legislation change about Dartmouth College in 1816?

Turned it into a public university Signup and view all the answers

What clause of the US Constitution was at issue in Dartmouth College v. Woodward?

Contracts Clause / Article 1, Section 10 Signup and view all the answers

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of New Hampshire in the Dartmouth College case.

False Signup and view all the answers

What was the majority opinion's reasoning regarding corporate charters?

They are public contracts that may not be impaired by legislation. Signup and view all the answers

Match the doctrines established in Dartmouth College v. Woodward:

Contract Clause applies to public contracts = True A grant is a public contract = True A corporate charter may be unilaterally changed = False Contracts rule in the absence of royal rule = True Signup and view all the answers

What was an alternative solution to the ruling in the Dartmouth case?

To decide that a corporate charter is not a public contract. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Facts

King George III granted a corporate charter in 1769 to establish a seminary for educating Indians, leading to the creation of Dartmouth College.
The charter defined the school's purpose, governance structure, and allocated land.
John Wheelock served as president from 1779, facing opposition from the Board of Trustees over 36 years, representing differing religious and political affiliations.
In 1816, following the rise of Jeffersonian Republicans, the New Hampshire legislature amended the original charter, transforming Dartmouth College into a public university.
New legislation altered trustee selection, added new trustees, and removed traditional symbols, leading to the ousting of old trustees.

Statute or Government Action in Dispute

The legality of New Hampshire's takeover of Dartmouth College and its transition to a public institution was questioned.

Provision of the US Constitution at Issue

The Contracts Clause (Article 1, Section 10) prohibits states from impairing existing contracts, which was central to the case.

Outcome

The court ruled in a 5-1 decision that New Hampshire's actions to convert Dartmouth into a public university were unconstitutional, affirming that states cannot interfere with contracts.

Reasoning of the Majority

Chief Justice Marshall asserted that a corporate charter constitutes a public contract, which legislative actions cannot impair.
He maintained that the original charter, established between the King and the trustees, remained valid post-royal colony era due to constitutional protections against legislative interference, despite a lack of financial interest.

Major Doctrine or Doctrines

Key doctrines established include:
- The Contracts Clause applies to both public and private contracts.
- A grant is inherently a public contract with an implied assurance against rescission.
- A corporate charter is recognized as a public contract that cannot be unilaterally modified by the state.
The opinion reinforced the significance of contracts within a republic, similar to views expressed in Fletcher v. Peck.

Alternative Solution

An alternative ruling could have classified a corporate charter as a non-public contract, allowing legislative modifications by states.

Description

Explore key facts and legal implications of the Dartmouth College v. Woodward case from 1819. This set of flashcards will help you understand the historical context, the conflicting interests between the college leadership and its Board of Trustees, and the lasting impact of this landmark decision on educational institutions.