Court Cases and Foundational Documents

Marybury v Madison

established judicial review

McCulloch v Maryland

confirmed implied powers and ruled states cannot tax the national bank

Schneck v US

established “clear and present danger” limit on free speech

Brown v Board of Education

ruled segregation in schools in unconstitutional

Baker v Carr

federal courts have the power to hear cases about unfair voting districts (redistricting)

Engel v Vitale

school led prayer violates the Establishment Clause

Gideon v Wainwright

guaranteed right to an attorney in criminal felony cases

Tinker v Des Moines

students have free speech rights in school if it does not disrupt learning

New York Times v US

the First Amendment overrides the federal government's interest in keeping certain documents, such as the Pentagon Papers, classified

Wisconsin v Yoder

Amish students can be exempt from schooling past 8th grade for religious reasons

Shaw v Reno

using race as the main factor in drawing districts can violate the Constitution

US v Lopez

limited Congress’s commerce clause powers; gun free school zones exceed federal authority

Citizens United v Federal Election Commission (FEC)

ruled corporations and unions can spend unlimited money on political speech

McDonald v Chicago

made the Second Amendment a nationwide protection, not just a federal one

Gitlow v New York

applied first amendment protections to the federal government and the states

Buckley v Valeo

upheld limits on campaign contributions but allowed unlimited personal spending

Lemon v Kurtzman

used to decide if a government action involving religion is constitutional

Near v Minnesota

prior restraint is unconstitutional- the government cannot censor a newspaper before it publishes

Mapp v Ohio

evidence found illegally cannot be used in court

Plessy v Ferguson

upheld “separate but equal” laws

Texas v Johnson

burning the American flag is protected symbolic speech

Roe v Wade

women’s right to privacy

Brown v Board of Education II

ordered desegregation to proceed with immediate action

Articles of Confederation

the first U.S. Constitution which created a weak national government with most power in the states- lacked the ability to regulate tax/trade

Brutus no.1

argued that the Constitution would create a central government that is too powerful and would threaten individual freedoms

The Constitution

the supreme law of the United States that establishes the structure of government, separates powers among three branches, and protects individual rights

Declaration of Independence

formally announced the 13 original colonies were separating from Great Britain, listing grievances against King George III; signed in 1776

Federalist no.10

arguing for ratification

Federalist no.51

government must have checks and balances and separation of powers

Federalist no.70

an executive branch must be created for a strong central government

Federalist no.78

explains the role of the judicial branch, argues that courts should have the power for judicial review

Letter from Birmingham Jail

letter by MLK Jr. defending nonviolent protest and civil disobedience