All AP GOPO's SCOTUS (Backgrounds & Principles)

Marbury v. Madison (1803) - Background & Principle

William Marbury sued for his judicial commission, which had been signed but not delivered. Principle: Article III, judicial authority.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) - Background & Principle

Maryland tried to tax the Bank of the United States. Principle: Necessary and Proper Clause, Supremacy Clause.

Schenck v. United States (1919) - Background & Principle

Schenck distributed anti-draft leaflets during WWI. Principle: First Amendment, free speech.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954) - Background & Principle

African American students challenged segregated schools. Principle: Equal Protection Clause (14th Amendment).

Baker v. Carr (1962) - Background & Principle

Tennessee hadn't redistricted in decades, leading to unequal representation. Principle: Equal Protection Clause.

Engel v. Vitale (1962) - Background & Principle

NY schools led students in a voluntary prayer. Principle: Establishment Clause (1st Amendment).

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) - Background & Principle

Gideon was denied a lawyer in a state trial. Principle: 6th Amendment right to counsel, 14th Amendment incorporation.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) - Background & Principle

Students wore black armbands to protest Vietnam War. Principle: Free speech in schools.

New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) - Background & Principle

Nixon tried to block publication of the Pentagon Papers. Principle: Freedom of the press.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) - Background & Principle

Amish parents refused to send kids to school past 8th grade. Principle: Free Exercise Clause.

Roe v. Wade (1973) - Background & Principle

Texas law banned most abortions. Principle: Right to privacy (implied in 14th Amendment).

Shaw v. Reno (1993) - Background & Principle

North Carolina created a bizarrely shaped majority-minority district. Principle: Equal Protection Clause.

United States v. Lopez (1995) - Background & Principle

Student brought a gun to school; charged under federal law. Principle: Commerce Clause.

McDonald v. Chicago (2010) - Background & Principle

Chicago banned handguns; McDonald challenged. Principle: 2nd Amendment, incorporation via 14th Amendment. Decision: Right to bear arms applies to states.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010) - Background & Principle

Citizens United wanted to air a film critical of Hillary Clinton. Principle: Free speech, campaign finance.