AP Gov All SCOTUS Cases

McCulloch v. Maryland

• Congress has implied powers under necessary and proper clause

• States can’t tax federal government

• Enforce supremacy clause

Significance: strengthened power of congress

US v. Lopez

• Congress can’t use the commerce clause on everything

• Pew Pew Free School Zones Act unconstitutional

• Limit federal power

Significance: gave power back to the states & limits on federal government

Baker v. Carr

• Apportionment is justiciable

• Courts can hear cases about redistricting

• Court can’t take stuff that’s too political

Significance: gave federal courts power in redistricting cases and established 6 part test to assess whether issues are too political to be taken by the SCOTUS

Shaw v. Reno

• Can’t racial gerrymander bc of equal protection clause

Significance: still cant racial gerrymander

Marbury v. Madison

• Judicial review

• SCOTUS can declare laws unconstitutional

• Get last say in interpreting the law

Significance: helped legitimatize the role of the SCOTUS

Engel v. VItale

• Can’t pray in public schools bc of establishment clause

• Gov can’t promote religion in schools

Significance: expand separation of church and state

Wisconsin v. Yoder

• Mandatory education violated free exercise clause

• Amish don’t go to school past 8th grade

Significance: loosened grip on separation between church and state

Tinker v. Des Moines

• Speech in school protected unless it causes a disruption in the learning environment

Significance: established criteria for what can and can’t be said

Schenk v. US

• Speech can be restricted if there is clear and present danger

• Can be limited during the war time if threatens public safety

Significance: establish clear and present danger criteria, limit free speech under certain conditions

McDonald v. Chicago

• 2nd amendment applies to the states

• Selective incorporation through 14th amendment

Significance: expanded 14th amendment

Gideon v. Wainright

• Right to attorney in criminal cases

• States must provide lawyers if people can’t afford

Significance: expanded rights for due process

Brown v. Board

• Segregation in schools was unconstitutional

• Overturn Plessy v. Ferguson

Significance: no more segregation, civil rights victory

Citizens United v. FEC

• Corporate political spending is free speech

• Limiting independent expenditure is unconstitutional

Significance: expanded freedoms for corporations to donate money to political parties and candidates

Roe v. Wade

• Abortion is right to privacy

• Due process clause

Significance: established trimester system, right to privacy

New York Times v. US

• Prior restraint is unconstitutional

• Only not allowed if threatens security

Significance: freedom of press is heavily protected