Heart of Atlanta Motel Case Analysis

The Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States case in 1964 was pivotal in civil rights law. The Supreme Court upheld the Civil Rights Act of 1964, using the Commerce Clause to prohibit racial discrimination in public accommodations. The motel's challenge was rejected, affirming Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce and protect civil rights. Concurring opinions highlighted the importance of both the Commerce Clause and the Fourteenth Amendment in combating discrimination.

What was the main legal issue in the Heart of Atlanta Motel case?

• Whether the motel could refuse service to anyone for any reason

• Whether Congress could use the Commerce Clause to prohibit racial discrimination in public accommodations

• Whether the motel could charge different rates to different races

• Whether the Civil Rights Act applied to private clubs

What percentage of the Heart of Atlanta Motel's business came from out-of-state guests?

• 75%

• 60%

• 50%

• 90%

What did the district court decide regarding the Civil Rights Act?

• It was unconstitutional

• It only applied to restaurants

• It violated the motel's free speech rights

• It was constitutional under the Commerce Clause

How did the Supreme Court justify Congress's power to regulate local incidents of commerce?

• By suggesting that local incidents are irrelevant to commerce

• By stating that all local businesses affect national security

• By arguing that local incidents have a substantial relation to interstate commerce

• By claiming that local businesses should not exist

What was Justice Black's view on the motel's impact on interstate commerce?

• The motel had no impact on interstate commerce

• The motel's racial discrimination policies greatly impacted interstate commerce

• The motel's policies were irrelevant to commerce

• The motel's impact was minimal and negligible

What was Justice Black's stance on the due process argument?

• He agreed with the motel's due process argument

• He rejected the due process argument

• He believed the due process argument was irrelevant

• He thought the due process argument was valid

What did Justice Douglas argue regarding the basis for Congress's authority?

• It should solely rely on the Commerce Clause

• It should not rely on any constitutional provision

• It should rely on state laws

• It should rely on the Fourteenth Amendment

What did Justice Goldberg believe about the basis for the Civil Rights Act?

• It should rest on neither constitutional provision

• It should rest on the Fourteenth Amendment alone

• It should rest on the Commerce Clause alone

• It should rest on both the Fourteenth Amendment and the Commerce Clause

What was the ultimate decision of the Supreme Court in the Heart of Atlanta Motel case?

• The Civil Rights Act was unconstitutional

• The Civil Rights Act was irrelevant to interstate commerce

• The Civil Rights Act was a valid exercise of Congress's Commerce Clause authority

• The Civil Rights Act only applied to restaurants

What was the significance of the Heart of Atlanta Motel decision?

• It only applied to motels in Atlanta

• It allowed Congress to use its Commerce Clause powers to combat racial discrimination

• It limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause

• It had no impact on civil rights