AP US Government Required Supreme Court Cases

Marbury v. Madison

Created the principle of judicial review, greatly strengthening the judiciary by enabling courts to strike down laws deemed unconstitutional

McCulloch v. Maryland

Broad interpretation of federal powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause; strengthened the supremacy of federal law over state law

Schenck v. United States

Limited First Amendment rights under circumstances of national security threats

Brown v. Board of Education

Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson; major catalyst for the civil rights movement

Baker v. Carr

Opened courts to redistricting cases; led to more equitable representation

Engel v. Vitale

Strengthened wall of separation between church and state in public schools

Gideon v. Wainwright

Expanded the right to counsel in state courts (incorporation doctrine)

Tinker v. Des Moines

Defined the rights of students in public schools regarding free expression

New York Times v. United States

Reinforced heavy presumption against prior restraint; strengthened freedom of the press

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Strengthened religious exemptions from state laws

Shaw v. Reno

Limited the use of race in redistricting; subjected racial gerrymandering to strict scrutiny

United States v. Lopez

Marked a revival of limits on federal power under the Commerce Clause

McDonald v. Chicago

Incorporated the Second Amendment against the states; greatly expanded individual gun rights

Citizens United v. FEC

Dramatically changed campaign finance law; led to the rise of Super PACs, which can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money as long as they do not coordinate directly with candidates or parties