Unit 3 - AP Gov SCOTUS Cases

Marbury v Madison (1803) - what principle did this case establish?

Judicial review - SCOTUS can strike down unconstitutional laws

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) - What doctrine did the Court uphold?

“Separate but equal,” allowing racial segregation.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954) - What major ruling did this case make about schools?

It declared segregated public schools unconstitutional and overturned Plessy.

Gideon v. Wainwright (196) - What right for defendants did this case guarantee?

The right to an attorney even if they cannot afford one. (5th amendment)

Engel v. Vitale (196) - What practice in schools was banned?

School sponsored prayer

Abington School District v. Schempp (1963) - What additional school practice was struck down?

Mandatory Bible readings in public schools.

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) - What right was recognized in this case?

A constitutional right to privacy, invalidating a ban on contraceptives.

Loving v. Virginia (1967) - What type of state laws did this case strike down?

Laws banning interracial marriage.

Roe v. Wade (1973) - What did this case decide about abortion?

It legalized abortion based on a right to privacy.

Texas v. Johnson (1989) - What form of expression did the Court protect?

Flag burning as symbolic speech under the First Amendment.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) - Why were Amish students allowed to stop schooling after eighth grade?

Free Exercise Clause protected their religious practice over the state’s compulsory education law.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) - What student action was protected as free speech?

Wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War.

Schenck v. United States (1919) - What test was created for limiting speech?

The clear and present danger test.

NYT v. United States (1971) - What did the Court say about prior restraint and the Pentagon Papers?

The government could not stop publication because it failed to show a real national security threat.

McDonald v. Chicago (2010) - What right was applied to the states?

The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms through selective incorporation.