Required Supreme Court Cases for AP Government (copy)

McCulloch v. Maryland

A Supreme Court case that established federal supremacy and the doctrine of implied powers.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Gives Congress the power to make laws necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that federal law overrides state law when there is a conflict.

United States v. Lopez

A case that limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause.

Commerce Clause

Grants Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states.

Engel v. Vitale

Supreme Court ruling that school-sponsored prayer in public schools violated the Establishment Clause.

Establishment Clause

Prohibits the government from establishing an official religion.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Held that mandatory school attendance laws violated Amish parents' free exercise of religion.

Free Exercise Clause

Protects individuals' rights to practice their religion free from government interference.

Tinker v. Des Moines

A case affirming students' right to free speech in schools.

Freedom of Speech

First Amendment protection of spoken, written, and symbolic expressions.

New York Times Co. v. United States

A case protecting freedom of the press against government censorship.

Prior Restraint

Government prohibition of speech or publication before it occurs.

Schenck v. United States

Established the 'clear and present danger' test for free speech limitations.

Clear and Present Danger Test

A standard to limit speech that poses a significant risk to public safety.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Ruling that the Sixth Amendment right to counsel applies to state courts.

Selective Incorporation

The process of applying federal rights to state laws through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Roe v. Wade

A landmark decision that recognized a woman's constitutional right to have an abortion.

Right to Privacy

A legal principle protecting personal privacy from government intrusion.

McDonald v. Chicago

Held that the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Second Amendment

Protects the right to keep and bear arms.

Brown v. Board of Education

Declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Equal Protection Clause

Part of the Fourteenth Amendment that requires states to provide equal protection under the law.

Citizens United v. FEC

Established that corporations can spend unlimited amounts on political campaigns under the First Amendment.

Baker v. Carr

Case establishing the principle of 'one person, one vote' in legislative districts.

Shaw v. Reno

Ruled that racial gerrymandering violates the Equal Protection Clause.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to determine the constitutionality of laws.

Marbury v. Madison

The case that established the principle of judicial review.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Allowed Marbury to bring his case directly to the Supreme Court.

Impact of Federalism

The division of power between national and state governments.

Federal Supremacy

The principle that federal law takes precedence over state law.