AP Gov Docs,Court Cases, and amendments

Federalist 10

deals with the danger of "faction" in a democratic government and argues that the federal system that the Constitution created was the best solution to this problem.

Federalist 51

argues for the checks and balances system in the U.S. Constitution to prevent tyranny and protect individual liberties.

Federalist 70

argues for a single, strong executive (the President) in the United States, emphasizing the importance of unity, duration, competent powers, and dependence on the people for effective governance.

Federalist 78

argues for the importance of an independent and strong judicial branch, emphasizing the power of judicial review.

A letter from a Birmingham Jail

About civil disobedience and how the right to protest gives the people the power to make social change.

The articles of confederation

the United States' first constitution, adopted in 1777 and ratified in 1781. It created a "league of friendship" among the thirteen states, granting them significant autonomy and limiting the power of the central government.

The constitution

a single written document that explicitly creates government institutions, defines the scope of government power, and guarantees certain civil liberties .

The Bill of Rights

comprises the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution.

Brutus 1

an Anti-Federalist essay arguing against the ratification of the United States Constitution. It critiques the proposed consolidated national government, arguing it would undermine state sovereignty and individual liberties.

1st Amendment

Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition

2nd Amendment

Right to keep and bear arms

3rd Amendment

No quartering of soldiers

4th Amendment

Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures

5th Amendment

The Right to Remain Silent/Double Jeopardy, right to due process

6th Amendment

The right to a Speedy Trial by jury, representation by an attorney for an accused person

7th Amendment

Right to jury in civil trials.

8th Amendment

No cruel or unusual punishment

9th Amendment

Citizens entitled to rights not listed in the Constitution

10th Amendment

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

13th Amendment

abolished slavery

14th Amendment

Declares that all persons born in the U.S. are citizens and are guaranteed equal protection of the laws

15th Amendment

Citizens cannot be denied the right to vote because of race, color , or precious condition of servitude

16th Amendment

Allows the federal government to collect income tax

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms.

24th Amendment

Abolishes poll taxes

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18

Marbury v. Madison

establishes the Supreme Court's power of Judicial Review

Brown v. Board of Education

The Supreme Court overruled Plessy v. Ferguson, declared that racially segregated facilities are inherently unequal and ordered all public schools desegregated.

Gideon v. Wainwright

A person who cannot afford an attorney may have one appointed by the government

McCullogh v. Maryland

the Supreme Court established the principle of implied powers, affirming Congress's authority to create a national bank and that states cannot tax federal institutions.

Schenck v. United States

The Court established the "clear and present danger" test, which limits freedom of speech when it poses an immediate threat to national security or public order.

Baker v. Carr

case that est. one man one vote. this decision created guidelines for drawing up congressional districts and guaranteed a more equitable system of representation to the citizens of each state.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Students have the right to symbolic speech at school as long as it is not disruptive

Engel v. Vitale

banned formal prayer in schools, government would not make any religion the 'official' religion.

New York Times v. US

protecting the freedom of the press by allowing the New York Times to publish the "Pentagon Papers" despite the Justice Department's order to restrict it

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Amish do not have to attend school after 8th grade - right to freedom of religion

Shaw v. Reno

NO racial gerrymandering; race cannot be the sole or predominant factor in redrawing legislative boundaries; majority-minority districts.

United States v. Lopez

Congress had exceeded its commerce clause power by prohibiting guns in a school zone

McDonald v. Chicago

The right of an individual to "keep and bear arms" protected by the 2nd Amendment is incorporated by the due process clause of the 14th Amendment and applies to the states.

Citizens United v. FEC

Decision by the United States Supreme Court holding that independent expenditures are free speech protected by the 1st Amendment and so cannot be limited by federal law. Leads to creation of SuperPACs & massive rise in amount of third party electioneering