Cases AP GOV

important cases you NEED to know

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Established national supremacy clause; established implied powers; use of elastic clause; state unable to tax fed. Institution; John Marshall; "the power to tax involves the power to destroy."

United States v. Lopez (1995)

The Supreme Court case that ruled Congress had exceeded its authority under the Commerce Clause by banning guns in school zones, thereby reinforcing state power.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Prohibited state-sponsored prayer in public schools because of 1st Amendment's establishment clause and the 14th Amendment's due process clause- reinforced church v state.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

The Court ruled that Wisconsin could not require Amish parents to send their children to public school beyond the 8th grade because it would violate long-held religious beliefs.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Guaranteed a student's right to protest- re-established free speech(wearing armbands).

New York Times v. US (1971)

A landmark case affirming the right to a free press by ruling against prior restraint, allowing the publication of the Pentagon Papers.

Schenk v. United States (1919)

establishing the "clear and present danger" test for limitations on free speech/not protected by the 1st Amendment during wartime when speech creates a substantial risk of inciting unlawful action.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Guaranteed the right to an attorney for the poor or indigent in a state felony case

Miranda v Arizona

established Miranda rights. This decision aimed to protect the Fifth Amendment rights of individuals in custody.

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Upheld the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms as applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause and selective incorperation

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, stating that "separate but equal" has no place in education.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

Political Spending by corporations, associations, and labor unions is a form of protected speech under the 1st Amendment

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Established the principle of "one person, one vote" and allowed federal courts to hear redistricting cases, ensuring fair representation.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Ruled that redistricting plans cannot be based predominantly on race, as it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to invalidate laws that are contrary to the Constitution.

William Marbury was appointed to a government job by President Adams, but his paperwork wasn't delivered before Adams left office. When President Jefferson took over, his secretary, Madison, refused to give Marbury the job.

The Supreme Court agreed Marbury should get the job, but said the law that allowed Marbury to sue was unconstitutional. This case gave the Supreme Court the power to decide if laws are unconstitutional.

Gibbons v Ogden

established federal control over interstate commerce, asserting that the Constitution grants Congress the power to regulate commerce clause among the states. Showed that federal precedent has more power than state.