AP US GOV || Required Foundational Documents + Supreme Court Cases

All the required docs you'll need to know in order to pass your AP US Gov exam UPDATED 2025 (Please note none of these notes are mine, I just combined pre-existing ones into one big flashcard set)

Declaration of Independence (1776)

Written by Thomas Jefferson

Declares independence from Great Britain; all people are created equal; social contract

Articles of Confederation (1777, 1781)

Unicameral legislature, no executive or judiciary
Very weak central government; state sovereignty
No standing army or federal taxation

Constitution (1787, 1789)

Written by James Madison

Supreme Law of the Land
Division of power; checks and balances; bicameral legislature

Federalist 10

Written by James Madison

Addresses the problem of factions, argues that larger republics can handle them better because of the variety of interests

Brutus 1

The federal government has too much power, liberties will be restricted, bill of rights is needed; free republics can not exist in such large territories because of factionism

Federalist 51

Written by James Madison

Stresses the importance of separation of powers and checks and balances as well as the bicameral legislature in order to keep balance between competing interests and prevent tyranny

Federalist 70

Written by Alexander Hamilton

Argues in favor a strong, unitary, energized, executive to take quick action in case of emergencies

Federalist 78

Written by Alexander Hamilton

Argues that Lifetime appointments, guaranteed “during good behavior” insure that judges can resist politicization and use their lifetime of experience to make better rulings

Letter from a Birmingham Jail (1963)

Written by Martin Luther King Jr.

Argues that it is up to the oppressed to take charge to demand equality; segregation is immoral in the eyes of god; Americans who say they support desegregation but dislike the protests are the biggest obstacle to the movement; the movement is bound to succeed because the goal of the US is freedom.

1st Amendment (1791)

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

2nd Amendment (1791)

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

3rd Amendment (1791)

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

4th Amendment (1791)

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

5th Amendment (1791)

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

6th Amendment (1791)

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

7th Amendment (1791)

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

8th Amendment (1791)

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

9th Amendment (1791)

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

10th Amendment (1791)

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.

11th Amendment (1794/1795)

The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.

[It restricts the ability of individuals to bring suit against states of which they are not citizens in federal court]

12th Amendment

Separate electoral votes are cast for president and vice president positions.

13th Amendment (1865)

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

14th Amendment (1866/1868)

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. (There is more, but this is section I)

[It guarantees Due Process and Equal Protection for all races]

15th Amendment (1869/1870)

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

16th Amendment (1909/1913)

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

17th Amendment (1912/1913)

The Senate of the United States shall be … elected by the people thereof.

18th Amendment (1917/1919)

The manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.

19th Amendment (1919/1920)

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

20th Amendment (1932/1933)

The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3rd day of January.

21st Amendment (1933)

The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

22nd Amendment (1947/1951)

No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.

23rd Amendment (1960/1961)

The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct:

A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State.

[3 for DC]

24th Amendment (1962/1964)

The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.

25th Amendment (1965/1967)

In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

26th Amendment (1971)

The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.

27th Amendment (1789/1992)

No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.

Article I of the Constitution

Legislative Branch / Enumerated Powers of Congress

Article II of the Constitution

Executive Branch / Formal Powers of the President

Article III of the Constitution

Judicial Branch

Article IV of the Constitution

Interstate Relations

Article V of the Constitution

Amendment Process

Commerce Clause

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3

Gives Congress the authority to regulate commerce between the states

Necessary and Proper / Elastic Clause

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18

[The Congress shall have Power . . . ] To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Supremacy Clause

Article 6, Clause 2

Provides that the Constitution and the laws passed by Congress shall be “the supreme law of the land”. It overrides any conflicting provisions in state constitutions or state laws. Constitution cannot be interpreted differently from state to state, must accept the rulings of the Supreme Court on constitutionality.

Equal Protection Clause

Section 1 of the 14th Amendment

Neither states nor the federal government may deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Due Process Clause

Section 1 of the 14th Amendment

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

1st Amendment Free Speech (growth of PACs and Super PACS): campaign finance = freedom of speech

Engel v Vitale

1st Amendment Free Religion Establishment Clause, 14th Amendment Due Process Clause: prayer in schools violates Establishment Clause, states cannot violate freedom of religion

Gideon v Wainwright

6th Amendment (attorney is a fundamental right), 14th Amendment Due Process: accused of felony and didn't get a lawyer

Marbury v Madison

Struck down Sect 13 of Judicial Act: first case to declare a law as unconstitutional, establishes JUDICIAL REVIEW

Tinker v Des Moines

1st Amendment Freedom of Speech: black armbands at school do not violate a safe learning environment and therefore students can't be punished for it

Wisconsin v Yoder

1st Amendment Free Religion Free Exercise Clause, 14th Amendment Due Process: Amish family can stop sending kids to school even if it violates compulsory education because it's there practice of religion, Freedom of religion (to extent) > gov interests

McCulloch v Maryland

Necessary and Power Clause (Art 1, Sect 7), Supremacy Clause (less important): Maryland can't tax the federal bank, expanded fed gov powers

NY Times v US

1st Amendment Freedom of Press, Prior Restraint: the Times wanted to print Pentagon Papers saying the US couldn't use prior Restraint because it was something in the past

Schneck v US

Freedom of Speech 1st Amendment, Espionage Act (crime to interfere w/ military effort during wartime): Schneck sued and loss because wartime situation is different, Clear and Present Danger Rule

Shaw v Reno

14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause, Voting Rights Act of 1965: racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional, South Carolina's district lines did not pass "strict scrutiny" where judicial review is needed for a race based policy

Baker v Carr

14th Amendment voting rights (one man = one vote): TN didn't redraw congressional districts for 60 years

McDonald v Chicago

2nd Amendment bear arms, 14th Amendment Due Process clause: fundamental right to bear arms, Chicago ban on handguns and McDonald sued

US v Lopez

Art 1, Sect 7 Commerce Clause, Gun Free School Zones Act: bringing a gun in school does not effect interstate Commerce and Congress can't make a law about it

Brown v. Board of Education

This landmark decision declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause / overturned "separate but equal"doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson.