Required Supreme Court Cases and Foundational Documents

A set of flashcards covering key Supreme Court cases and foundational documents related to the Constitution and American government.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established the principle of judicial review, enabling the Supreme Court to declare acts unconstitutional.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Confirmed the supremacy of the U.S. Constitution and federal laws over state laws.

Schenck v. United States (1919)

Speech creating a 'clear and present danger' is not protected by the First Amendment.

Brown v. Board of Education (1962)

Declared race-based school segregation violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Federal courts can hear cases involving redistricting that may violate the Equal Protection Clause.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

School-sponsored religious activities violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Extended the right to an attorney to felony defendants in state courts under the Sixth Amendment.

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)

Prohibition against wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War violated students' free speech.

New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)

Bolstered freedom of the press, establishing a heavy presumption against prior restraint.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Compelling Amish students to attend school past eighth grade violates the Free Exercise Clause.

Declaration of Independence

Document asserting that all people are created equal and outlining natural rights.

Articles of Confederation

First governing document of the U.S., establishing a unicameral legislature with limited power.

U.S. Constitution

Framework for federal government structure, powers, and limits to those powers.

Federalist #10

Argues that a large republic is the best way to control factions.

Brutus I

Argues that the Constitution grants too much power to the central government.

Federalist 51

Describes checks and balances to prevent one faction from taking complete control.

Federalist 70

Argues for a strong, unified executive to ensure accountability.

Federalist 78

Advocates for an independent judiciary with lifetime terms for judges.

Letter from Birmingham Jail

Presents the idea that one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Majority-minority districts can be constitutionally challenged if race is the sole factor.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Congress exceeded its power under the Commerce Clause with gun possession laws in school zones.

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Applied the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms to the states.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

Political spending by corporations and unions is protected speech under the First Amendment.