Constitutional Clauses and Supreme Court Cases

Flashcards covering key constitutional clauses and associated Supreme Court cases for the AP U.S. Government and Politics exam.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Grants Congress the authority to pass all laws necessary and proper for executing its enumerated powers.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

The Court upheld Congress's power to establish a national bank, interpreting the Necessary and Proper Clause as allowing implied powers beyond those explicitly listed in the Constitution.

Commerce Clause

Empowers Congress to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the states, and with Native American tribes.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

The Court ruled that the Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress's Commerce Clause authority, emphasizing limits on federal power.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that the Constitution and federal laws take precedence over state laws.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

The Court determined that Maryland could not tax the national bank, reinforcing federal supremacy over state actions.

Establishment Clause

Prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or favoring one religion over another.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

The Court held that state-sponsored prayer in public schools violated the Establishment Clause.

Free Exercise Clause

Protects individuals' rights to practice their religion freely, without government interference.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

The Court ruled that compelling Amish children to attend school past eighth grade violated their religious freedoms under the Free Exercise Clause.

Free Speech Clause

Safeguards the freedom of speech from government restriction.

Schenck v. United States (1919)

Upheld restrictions on speech presenting a 'clear and present danger,' such as anti-draft leaflets during wartime.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Affirmed students' rights to symbolic speech in schools, like wearing armbands to protest the Vietnam War.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Recognized corporate political spending as protected speech under the First Amendment.

Freedom of the Press

Protects the press from government censorship and prior restraint.

New York Times v. United States (1971)

The Court ruled that the government could not prevent the New York Times from publishing the Pentagon Papers, emphasizing the heavy presumption against prior restraint.

Due Process Clause (14th Amendment)

Prohibits states from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Guaranteed the right to legal counsel for defendants in state courts.

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Applied the Second Amendment right to bear arms to the states through the doctrine of incorporation.

Equal Protection Clause (14th Amendment)

Requires states to provide equal protection under the law to all people within their jurisdictions.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Baker v. Carr (1961)

Established the principle of 'one person, one vote,' allowing federal courts to review redistricting cases.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Held that racial gerrymandering claims are justiciable under the Equal Protection Clause.

Judicial Review

Allows the Supreme Court to declare laws and executive actions unconstitutional.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established the principle of judicial review, empowering the judiciary to strike down laws conflicting with the Constitution.