AP Gov the final reckoning probably

chapters 1-12 of AP gov 2024 book // units 1-5 from collegeboard

Marbury v Madison

Supreme Court case in 1803 that established judicial review. Judicial review = the supreme court having the ability to review laws for constitutionality.

happened because Marbury sued Secretary of State James Madison for not giving him his justice position —> supreme court ruled in favor of Madison, however they ruled the entire case as unconstitutional since you have to go through an appeals court first before making its way up to the Supreme Court (there was a weird law exception that allowed Marbury to take it immediately to the Supreme Court which was determined to be unconstitutional and therefore establishing judicial review)

McCulloch v Maryland

Supreme Court case in 1819 that defined the scope of Congress's implied powers and the supremacy clause. Supremacy clause = federal law/government takes precedent over state law/government.

Maryland tried taxing the national bank and they said thats just not how that works aka they ruled in favor of McCulloch. also necessary and proper clause —> the fed gov has powers that need to be carried out somehow

Schenck v US

Supreme Court case in 1919 about freedom of speech and establishing the clear and present danger test.

Schenck was convicted under the espionage act for distributing flyers encouraging people to disobey the draft during WW1. Schenck argued the draft was against the 13th amendment regarding involuntary servitude. SC ruled in favor of the US because the US needs to be able to mobilize an army and that by telling people to not join the draft is inhibiting the federal gov’s ability to do their job. —> things aren’t protected by the first amendment if there is a clear and present danger. 

Brown v Board of Education

Supreme Court case in 1954 that overturned Plessy v Ferguson and the separate but equal doctrine, under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. 

The SC ruled in favor of Brown, because the separate but equal doctrine from Plessy v Ferguson and the segregation of schools by color was inherently unequal, going against the equal protection clause.

Citizens United v FEC (Federal Election Commission)

Supreme Court case in 2010 about campaign finance laws and the first amendment right to freedom of speech.

Citizens United wanted to make a movie about hillary clinton and why she would be a bad president, but the BCRA (Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act) does not allow electioneering 60 days b4 a presidential election and 30 days before a primary. SC ruled in favor of Citizens United because it went against freedom of speech and smth smth political speech is important to democracy. (discussion around whether or not corporations can be considered an individual)

Gideon v Wainwright

1963 case

6th amendment right to an attorney through equal protections clause 14th amendment

gideon is broke asf so he asks florida for one but they dont give him one as they only give them an attorney for capital cases (he was on trial for breaking and entering)

but no they have to give him an attorney bc everyone has the right to an attorney and to be properly be able to defend themselves in court n things

New York Times v US

publishing the pentagon papers during nixon’s administration that basically was about how the US gov had been lying about the how the Vietnam War was going

US tried to prevent NYT and Washington Post and other news outlets from publishing —> prior restraint

SC said f u protect freedom of the press + u can only exercise prior restraint if clear and present danger (aka if the info literally contains army movements and that soldiers can die the next day or smth)