291 U.S. 82 (1934)
Morrison v. State of California is a pivotal case that addresses the interplay between state regulation of property and racial discrimination.
The legal question before the court was whether California's statute restricting land ownership based on racial eligibility for citizenship violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
The legal principle at issue was the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which prohibits states from denying any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
The Supreme Court upheld the California statute, ruling that it did not violate the Equal Protection Clause.
Morrison v. State of California is significant for law students as it illustrates the complexities of constitutional law concerning racial discrimination and property rights. It highlights the challenges courts face when balancing state interests with constitutional protections against discrimination, and the legal reasoning employed when interpreting the Equal Protection Clause. This case serves as an example of how the judiciary has historically approached issues of race and property, reflecting broader societal attitudes at the time.