AP gov docs, cases, amendments

Federalist 51

written by James Madison, checks and balances/separation of power will control abuse from majorities

Brutus 1

against Federalist 10, argues for a small republic protecting individual freedoms with most power held by the states

Federalist 70

single executive (president) for quick response to threats

Federalist 10

against Brutus 1, power should be balanced between state and nation government; large scale republics better control factions

Articles of Confederation

Failed due to lack of central military power (Shay’s Rebellion) as well as lacking tax power, law enforcement, and a federal court system

Declaration of Independence

professes the rights on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in the face of tyranny

Federalist 78

advocates for a national judiciary (supreme court) with justices appointed for life on “good behavior”

Letter from Birmingham Jail

written by MLK Jr on April 16, 1963 outlining the value of “nonviolent campaign”

Constitution

‘supreme law of the land’ since its ratification in 1789

Mcculloch v. Maryland

establishes supremacy of the constitution/federal laws over states; congress has implied powers to implement their enumerated power (establish a national bank to levy taxes)

Marbury v. Madison

establishes judicial review (the courts ability to interpret the constitution and determine things unconstitutional)

Schenck v. United States

speech creating “clear and present danger” is not protected by the 1st amendment. Upheld the espionage act (criminalizing activities that could interfere with the war effort (anti-draft pamphlet))

Brown v. Board of Education

unanimous decision, “in the field of public education, separate but equal has no place”

Plessy v. Ferguson (non required)

separate but equal idea, precedent to Brown v. Board (stare decisis); 7-1 ruling with the dissenting opinion helping overturn in Brown

Engle v. Vitale

mandatory prayer in public school is a violation of the 1st amendment’s establishment clause

Baker v. Carr

establishes “one person, one vote”; challenges voting districts created by states (gerrymandering) using the 14th amendment’s equal protection clause

Gideon v. Wainwright

states are responsible for providing a lawyer to a defendant who could not afford one (Florida denied because they only provided them for federal offenses)

Tinker v. DesMoines

symbolic speech (armbands) is protected by the 1st Amendment

US v. New York Times

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Roe v. Wade

Shaw v. Reno

US v. Lopez

McDonald v. Chicago

Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission