AP US Government: Supreme Court Cases

Baker v. Carr

Districts must have the same number of eligible voters so representation is based on population; established 'one person, one vote'.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Established that separate but equal facilities do not violate the 14th amendment.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Denied the right of Maryland to tax a national bank; established that Congress can use implied powers.

Buckley v. Valeo

Held that spending money on one's own campaign is free speech and overturned certain campaign finance laws.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Affirmed students' right to protest by wearing armbands, recognizing certain forms of symbolic speech.

Schenck v. US

Established the 'clear and present danger' test for limitations on free speech.

Marbury v. Madison

Declared the Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional, establishing the principle of judicial review.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Affirmed the right to counsel for indigents in felony cases.

Brown v. Board of Education

Declared school segregation unconstitutional, reversing 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Roe v. Wade

Ruled that the right to an abortion is protected under the right to privacy.

Engel v. Vitale

Struck down state-sponsored prayer in public schools.

US v. Lopez

Held that Congress exceeded its commerce clause power by prohibiting guns in school zones.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Held that Amish beliefs outweigh state interest in mandating schooling until age 16.

McDonald v. Chicago

Incorporated the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms through the 14th Amendment.

Brown v. Board II

Ordered schools to desegregate 'with all due and deliberate speed'.

Citizens United v. FEC

Held that political spending by corporations is protected speech under the First Amendment.

Shaw v. Reno

Mandated that legislative redistricting be conscious of race under the Voting Rights Act.

New York Times v. US

Held that prohibiting publication of the Pentagon Papers violated the First Amendment.