Pennsylvania v. Nelson
Pennsylvania v. Nelson is a significant Supreme Court case that addressed the intersection of state and federal authority regarding anticommunist legislation in the mid-20th century. The case involved Steve Nelson, a leader of the Communist Party, who had been convicted under a Pennsylvania state antisedition law. The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Earl Warren, ruled in a 6-3 decision that the extensive nature of federal anticommunist laws effectively preempted state laws in this area. This ruling underscored the Court's position on the limits of state power when it comes to politically sensitive issues, particularly during a time of heightened concern over communism in the United States. The dissenting opinion, authored by Justice Stanley F. Reed and supported by Justices Sherman Minton and Harold H. Burton, highlighted the contentious nature of the Court's decision amidst strong domestic political reactions. Overall, the case reflects the complexities of balancing individual freedoms with national security concerns and remains a pivotal moment in the history of American civil liberties.
Pennsylvania v. Nelson
Date: April 2, 1956
Citation: 350 U.S. 497
Issues: Freedom of association; subversion
Significance: The Supreme Court began to move away from blanket approval of anticommunist legislation
Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote the opinion for the 6-3 majority, upholding the Pennsylvania supreme court in overturning the conviction of Communist Party leader Steve Nelson on a state antisedition law. The Supreme Court decided that federal anticommunist legislation was so pervasive that the federal government had preempted the field. The domestic political reaction was so strong that the Court did not advance further in this direction in the 1950’s. Justice Stanley F. Reed wrote a dissent in which he was joined by Justices Sherman Minton and Harold H. Burton.
