AP GOVERNMENT REQUIRED SUPREME COURT CASES & FOUNDATIONAL DOCUMENTS

Marbury v. Madison

Established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare acts of legislative or executive branches unconstitutional.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Established the supremacy of the U.S. Constitution and federal laws over state laws regarding national banks and state taxes.

Schenck v. United States

Determined that speech creating a 'clear and present danger' is not protected by the First Amendment.

Brown v. Board of Education

Ruled that race-based school segregation violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Baker v. Carr

Held that redistricting issues do not raise political questions, allowing federal courts to rule on redistricting plans under the Equal Protection Clause.

Engel v. Vitale

Ruled that school sponsorship of religious activities violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Extended the Sixth Amendment's right to an attorney to felony defendants in state courts.

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District

Held that prohibiting students from wearing armbands to protest the Vietnam War violated their freedom of speech under the First Amendment.

New York Times Co. v. United States

Established a heavy presumption against prior restraint in press cases, even involving national security.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Ruled that compelling Amish students to attend school beyond the eighth grade violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.

Shaw v. Reno

Allowed constitutional challenges to majority-minority districts if race is the only factor used in their creation under the Equal Protection Clause.

United States v. Lopez

Ruled that Congress exceeded its powers under the Commerce Clause by making possession of a gun in a school zone a federal crime.

McDonald v. Chicago

Applied the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for self-defense to the states.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

Declared that political spending by corporations and unions is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.

The Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, providing a framework for national government.

Brutus No. 1

An anti-federalist paper arguing against the ratification of the Constitution, emphasizing the dangers of centralized government.

The Constitution of the United States

The supreme law of the United States, outlining the national framework of government, including the Bill of Rights.

The Declaration of Independence

Document declaring the thirteen American colonies free and independent from British rule.

Federalist No. 10

An essay advocating for a strong central government to control factions and prevent insurrection.

Federalist No. 51

Discussed the need for checks and balances within government to prevent abuses of power.

Federalist No. 70

Argued for a strong and energetic executive branch.

Federalist No. 78

Outlined the role of the judiciary and the importance of judicial review.

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

A letter by Martin Luther King Jr. advocating for nonviolent protest against racial injustice.