AP Government

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Established supremacy of the U.S. Constitution and federal laws over state laws

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established the principle of judicial review empowering the Supreme Court to nullify an act of the legislative or executive branch that violates the Constitution

Schenck v. United States (1919)

Speech creating a "clear and present danger" is not protected by the First Amendment

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Race-based school segregation violates the equal protection clause

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Established exclusionary rule; illegally obtained evidence cannot be used in court; Warren Court's judicial activism

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Opened the door to equal protection challenges to redistricting and the development of the "one person, one vote" doctrine by ruling that challenges to redistricting did not raise "political questions" that would keep federal courts from reviewing such challenges

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

School sponsorship of religious activities violates the establishment clause

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Guaranteed the right to an attorney for the poor or indigent

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

that upon arrest, a suspect has the right to remain silent and the right to consult with a lawyer

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)

Public school students have the right to wear black armbands in school to protest the Vietnam War

New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)

Bolstered the freedom of the press, establishing a "heavy presumption against prior restraint" even in cases involving national security

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Compelling Amish students to attend school past the eighth grade violates the free exercise clause

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Extended the right of privacy to a woman's decision to have an abortion

Buckley v. Valeo (1976)

Limits on election spending in the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 are unconstitutional (struck down donation/spending limits)

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Legislative redistricting must be conscious of race and ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Congress may not use the commerce clause to make possession of a gun in a school zone a federal crime

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for self-defense is applicable to the states

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

Political spending by corporations, associations, and labor unions is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment

1st

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

2nd

right to keep and bear arms

3rd

bans quartering of soliders

4th

bans unreasonable searches and seizures

5th

right to due process, no self-incrimination, no double jeopardy

6th

right to fair and speedy trial

7th

right to trial by jury

8th

bans cruel and unusual punishment, no excessive fines or bails

9th

unenumerated rights; government cannot infringe people's rights

10th

powers to states

11th

immunity of states being sued by non-residents of that state

12th

president and vice are elected separately

13th

abolishes slavery

14th

defines citizenship, naturalization and equal protection

15th

universal male suffrage

16th

allows congress to collect income tax

17th

senate is elected directly

18th

prohibition of alcohol (repealed by 21st)

19th

women's suffrage

20th

"lame duck" - fixes dates of term commencements of congress and president

21st

repeals 18th amendment

22nd

limits president to 2 terms

23rd

provides representation for DC

24th

prohibits poll taxes

25th

defines process of presidential succession

26th

18 is national voting age

27th

changes in congressional salary take effect on its next term

The Declaration of Independence

the formal statement written by Thomas Jefferson declaring the freedom of the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain

The Articles of Confederation

the first written constitution of the United States. Stemming from wartime urgency, its progress was slowed by fears of central authority and extensive land claims by states before was it was ratified on March 1, 1781. Under these articles, the states remained sovereign and independent, with Congress serving as the last resort on appeal of disputes.

Federalist No. 10

James Madison states that one of the strongest arguments in favor of the Constitution is the fact that it establishes a government capable of controlling the violence and damage caused by factions.

Brutus No. 1

Brutus considered whether or not the thirteen states should be reduced to one republic as the Federalists proposed. After examining various clauses in the Constitution, he determined that this would essentially create a federal government that will "possess absolute and uncontrollable power. He believed the necessary and proper clause along with the supremacy clause will render the states to be powerless.

Federalist No. 51

This document highlights the theory and/or practice of checks and balances between the three branches of government.

The Constitution of the United States

A document that embodies the fundamental laws, principles and structure of the U.S. government.

Federalist No. 70

Alexander Hamilton argued the need for an executive branch and for one main person (the president) to preside over the branch.

Federalist No. 78

The potential power of judicial review is explained. It argues that the federal courts have the duty to determine whether acts of Congress are constitutional and to follow the Constitution when there is inconsistency. Hamilton viewed this as a protection against abuse of power by Congress.

Letters from a Birmingham Jail

The most prominent themes in this letter are justice, Christianity, civil disobedience, and freedom. King employs the rhetorical devices of ethos, logos, and pathos as he argues that denying justice to one person threatens justice for everyone.