AP GoPo Study Guide

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare legislative acts unconstitutional.

Baker v. Carr (1961)

Established 'one man, one vote' principle and allowed federal courts to adjudicate on state apportionment.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Ruled that First Amendment protects independent political expenditures by corporations and unions.

Schenck v. United States (1918)

Established that speech creating clear and present danger is not protected under the First Amendment.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1968)

Affirmed students' rights to symbolic speech in public schools.

New York Times v. United States (1971)

Held that the government could not prevent publication of the Pentagon Papers under the First Amendment.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Ruled that mandatory school prayer violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Held that state law mandating school attendance violates the Free Exercise Clause for Amish parents.

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Applied the Second Amendment right to bear arms to the states through the 14th Amendment.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Guaranteed the right to counsel in criminal cases under the Sixth Amendment.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Established a woman's constitutional right to have an abortion under the right to privacy.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Declared that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Ruled that racial gerrymandering is subject to strict scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Declared that federal banks cannot be taxed by state laws, clarifying the Supremacy Clause.

U.S v. Lopez (1995)

Held that the Gun-Free School Zone Act exceeded Congress' authority under the Commerce Clause.

First Amendment

Protects freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition.

Second Amendment

Protects the right of individuals to keep and bear arms.

Fourth Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Fifth Amendment

Provides rights to due process, protection against double jeopardy, and self-incrimination.

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees the right to a speedy trial, impartial jury, and legal counsel.

Fourteenth Amendment

Grants equal protection under the law and prohibits states from denying any person of life, liberty, or property.

Federalist No. 10

Argued that factions protect minority rights and prevent tyranny.

Federalist No. 51

Described the system of checks and balances within the federal government.

Federalist No. 70

Advocated for a strong executive leader in times of crisis.

Federalist No. 78

Explained the need for an independent judiciary and lifetime appointments for judges.

Brutus No. 1

Criticized the Constitution for giving too much power to the federal government.

Letters from Birmingham Jail

Advocated for nonviolent resistance against segregation and injustice.