AP Government SCOTUS cases to review

SCOTUS cases to know for AP government

Marbury v Madison (1803)

Holding- The Supreme Court agreed that Marbury was entitled to his commission but they were not allowed to give it to him

Impact- established judicial review— the court interprets the Constitution

Constitutional Basis- Article 3- the judiciary and the Judiciary Act of 1789

McCulloch v Maryland (1819)

Holding- Congress did have the ability to start a national bank due to the necessary and proper clause

Impact- example of federalism and the balance of power shifting towards the federal government

Constitutional Basis- Necessary and Proper Clause (Article 1 Section 8)

Schenck v US (1919)

Holding- The Espionage Act did not violate the 1st amendment and some speech was not considered protected by the 1st amendment

Impact- “clear and present danger” test— free speech is not unlimited

Constitutional Basis- 1st amendment freedom of speech clause

Brown v Board of Education (1954)

Holding- “Separate but equal is inherently unequal”- Plessy v Ferguson reversed and deemed unconstitutional

Impact- desegregation of public schools and Civil Rights Movement

Constitutional Basis- Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment

Engel v Vitale (1962)

Holding- States could not hold prayers in public schools— this violated the establishment clause

Impact- established the bounds of how religion could and could not be incorporated in schools

Constitutional Basis- 1st amendment- establishment clause

Baker v Carr (1962)

Holding- Due to the 14th amendment EPC issues this case addressed (redistricting), SCOTUS did have the ability to rule on cases of reapportionment

Impact- allowed for apportionment/reapportionment cases to be brought to SCOTUS

Constitutional Basis- 14th amendment EPC

Gideon v Wainwright (1963)

Holding- SCOTUS ruled this violated his 6th amendment right to counsel

Impact- applied the 6th amendment to the states

Constitutional Basis- 6th amendment right to counsel— 14th amendment applying to the states

Tinker v Des Moines Independent County School District (1969)

Holding- Students still have freedom of speech at school + symbolic speech is still a form of protected speech

Impact- substantial disruption test— symbolic speech

Constitutional Basis- 1st amendment freedom of speech

New York Times Co. v US (1971)

Holding- Freedom of the press is guaranteed by the 1st amendment

Impact- shot down prior restraint by presidents- unless in the case of absolute national security concerns

Constitutional Basis- 1st amendment freedom of the press

Wisconsin v Yoder (1972)

Holding- SCOTUS ruled that this violated the Amish people’s free exercise of religion

Impact- compulsory education? NO, free exercise of religion

Constitutional Basis- 1st amendment free exercise of religion

Shaw v Reno (1993)

Holding- Racial gerrymandering is considered unconstitutional under the 14th amendment

Impact- NO racial gerrymandering

Constitutional Basis- EPC of the 14th amendment

US v Lopez (1995)

Holding- The Gun Free School Zone Act was considered unconstitutional because it did not explicitly involve commerce— Congress exceeded its power

Impact- federalism tipping towards the states

Constitutional Basis- Commerce Clause (Article 1 Section 8)

McDonald v Chicago (2010)

Holding- The handgun law was unconstitutional because the 2nd amendment applied to states

Impact- applied the 2nd amendment right to bear arms to the states by the 14th amendment

Constitutional Basis- 2nd amendment right to bear arms

Citizens United v FEC (2010)

Holding- 1st amendment freedom of speech applied to corporations

Impact- completely reshaped campaign fundraising/money in terms of BCRA and political donations

Constitutional Basis- 1st amendment freedom of speech and political speech