SCOTUS

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established: Judicial review - the power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Established: Congress has implied powers beyond those enumerated; states cannot tax federal institutions (federal > state power).

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Established: Set limits to Congress's use of the Commerce Clause; declared Gun-Free School Zones Act unconstitutional because carrying a gun is not economic activity.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Established: School-sponsored prayer in public schools is unconstitutional.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Established: State education laws cannot force Amish children to attend school beyond 8th grade due to religious beliefs.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Established: Students have the right to symbolic speech at school as long as it does not disrupt learning.

New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)

Established: Limited the government's ability to exercise prior restraint (Pentagon Papers case).

Schenck v. United States (1919)

Established: Speech creating a "clear and present danger" is not protected by the First Amendment (Espionage Act upheld).

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Established: States must provide an attorney to defendants who cannot afford one.

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Established: Incorporated the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms to the states.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Established: Segregation in public schools is unconstitutional; overturned Plessy v. Ferguson.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Established: Corporate funding of independent political broadcasts in candidate elections cannot be limited.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Established: "One person, one vote" - courts can hear redistricting cases.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Established: Racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional when race is the predominant factor.

Federalist No. 10

Key Ideas: A large republic can control factions; pluralism protects liberty better than direct democracy.

Brutus No. 1

Key Ideas: A large republic threatens liberty; national government will overpower the states; worried about Necessary and Proper Clause and Supremacy Clause.

The Declaration of Independence

Key Ideas: Natural rights, popular sovereignty, the right to rebel against tyranny.

The Articles of Confederation

Key Ideas: Weak central government; strong state sovereignty; no power to tax or regulate commerce.

The U.S. Constitution

Key Ideas: Separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, enumerated and implied powers, Bill of Rights.

Federalist No. 51

Key Ideas: Separation of powers and checks and balances protect against tyranny.

Federalist No. 70

Key Ideas: A strong, single executive is essential for energy, decision-making, and accountability.

Federalist No. 78

Key Ideas: Judicial branch is the weakest; judges should have life tenure; power of judicial review.

Letter from Birmingham Jail

Key Ideas: Nonviolent protest is justified; unjust laws must be challenged; appeal to moral responsibility and the 14th Amendment.