What landmark case in 2010 ruled that restrictions on campaign spending by corporations and unions were violations of freedom of speech?

The 2010 case Citizens United v. FEC is significant because it fundamentally changed the legal landscape regarding campaign finance in the United States. The Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech, extends to corporations and unions when it comes to spending money on political campaigns. This ruling asserted that prohibiting these entities from spending money on independent political communications is a violation of their free speech rights.

The decision allowed for unlimited independent expenditures by corporations and unions, enabling them to contribute significant amounts of money to influence elections. This shift led to an increase in the role of money in politics, spurring debates about the influence of special interest groups and the concept of political equality.

Other cases mentioned, such as Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade, and Marbury v. Madison, address different legal issues including civil rights, women's rights, and the role of the Supreme Court in judicial review, but they do not pertain to campaign finance or the First Amendment in the context of corporate spending in elections.