AP Gov -- important cases

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

used the judicial branch’s inherent power from Article III of the Constitution to establish judicial review as constitutional affirming checks and balances and separation of powers

key terms for Marbury v. Madison (1803) case

judicial review

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Used the supremacy clause from Article VI of the Constitution to affirm the supremacy of the federal government and the US Constitution over the states and state laws

key terms for McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) case

Elastic Clause, Supremacy Clause

United States v. Lopez (1994)

Congress may not use the commerce clause, Article I section 8, to make possession of a gun in a school zone a federal crime

key terms for US v. Lopez (1994)

Commerce Clause, devolution

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

school sponsorship of religious activities violates the establishment clause in the 1st amendment

key terms for engel v. vitale (1962)

1st amendment, religion

Wisconsin v. Yoder(1972)

forcing Amish students to attend school past 8th grade violates the free exercise clause of the 1st amendment.

key terms for wisconsin v. yoder (1972)

1st amendment, religion; free exercise clause

Tinker v. Des Moines School District (1969)

public school students retain 1st amendment freedom of speech/expression while on campus, as long as it doesn’t “disrupt the learning environment”

key terms for tinker v. des moines (1969)

1st amendment, freedom of speech; symbolic speech

NY Times v. US (1971)

ensures freedom of press clause of the 1st amendment by limiting prior restraint except in most extreme causes of national security

key terms for NY times v. US (1971)

1st amendment, free press, prior restraint, pentagon papers

Schenck v. US (1919)

speech that represents a “clear and present danger” is not protected under the freedom of speech clause in the 1st amendment

key terms for schenck v. US (1919)

1st amendment, free speech, “clear and present danger”

Gitlow v. New York (1925)

the first case that used the selective incorporation doctrine, using the due process clause of the 14th amendment to extend the Bill of Rights protections to states

key terms for Gitlow v New York (1925)

selective incorporation

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

used the 6th amendment to decide that those who cannot afford an attorney will be provided with one, incorporated to the states via the due process clause of the 14th amendment

key terms for gideon v. wainwright (1963)

selective incorporation, 6th amendment, right to counsel

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

the 2nd amendment prevents states from limiting gun ownership for self-protection, incorporated to the states via the due process clause of the 14th amendment

key terms for mcdonald v. chicago

14th amendment, due process clause, privileges and immunities clause

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

school segregation violates the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment - overturned Plessy v. Ferguson’s separate but equal doctrine

key terms for Brown v Board of Ed

14th amendment’s equal protection clause