AP GOV Master Vocab

Marbury v. Madison

Established judicial review, meaning the Supreme Court can strike down laws or executive actions that conflict with the Constitution.

Why Marbury v. Madison matters

It made the judiciary a coequal branch by giving the Court the power to interpret the Constitution.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Confirmed that Congress has implied powers through the Necessary and Proper Clause and that states cannot tax federal institutions.

Constitutional principle in McCulloch v. Maryland

Federal supremacy and implied powers.

Schenck v. United States

Held that speech creating a “clear and present danger” can be restricted during wartime.

Constitutional principle in Schenck v. United States

First Amendment speech rights are not absolute.

Brown v. Board of Education

Ruled that racial segregation in public schools violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Why Brown v. Board matters

It overturned the “separate but equal” logic of Plessy v. Ferguson in public education.

Baker v. Carr

Ruled that redistricting cases are justiciable and federal courts can hear challenges about unequal legislative districts.

Principle from Baker v. Carr

“One person, one vote” and equal representation under the Fourteenth Amendment.

Engel v. Vitale

Ruled that school-sponsored prayer in public schools violates the Establishment Clause.

Constitutional issue in Engel v. Vitale

Government cannot promote or sponsor religious activity in public schools.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Ruled that states must provide attorneys to defendants who cannot afford one in serious criminal cases.

Amendment in Gideon v. Wainwright

Sixth Amendment right to counsel, incorporated through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Ruled that students have free speech rights in schools unless expression causes substantial disruption.

Important phrase from Tinker

Students do not “shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate.”

New York Times Co. v. United States

Ruled that prior restraint is usually unconstitutional and protected publication of the Pentagon Papers.

Constitutional principle in New York Times v. United States

Freedom of the press and limits on government censorship.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Ruled that Amish parents could remove children from school after eighth grade based on religious beliefs.

Constitutional issue in Wisconsin v. Yoder

Free Exercise Clause protection against certain state education requirements.

Roe v. Wade

Recognized a constitutional right to abortion under privacy protections connected to due process.

Why Roe v. Wade was controversial

It involved the conflict between privacy rights, state power, judicial interpretation, and abortion policy.

Shaw v. Reno

Ruled that racial gerrymandering can violate the Equal Protection Clause if race is the dominant factor without sufficient justification.

Constitutional issue in Shaw v. Reno

Race and redistricting under the Fourteenth Amendment.

United States v. Lopez

Limited Congress’s Commerce Clause power by ruling that guns near schools were not sufficiently related to interstate commerce.

Why United States v. Lopez matters

It showed that federal power under the Commerce Clause has limits and protected state authority.

McDonald v. Chicago

Incorporated the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms against the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Constitutional principle in McDonald v. Chicago

Selective incorporation of the Bill of Rights.

Citizens United v. FEC

Ruled that independent political spending by corporations and unions is protected speech under the First Amendment.

Why Citizens United matters

It expanded campaign spending rights and helped increase the importance of Super PACs.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Upheld racial segregation under the doctrine of “separate but equal.”

Why Plessy matters for AP Gov

It shows how Supreme Court precedent can support or delay civil rights until later overturned.

Gitlow v. New York

Began selective incorporation by applying free speech protections to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Selective incorporation

The process by which the Supreme Court applies parts of the Bill of Rights to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Miranda v. Arizona

Required police to inform suspects of their right to remain silent and right to an attorney during custodial interrogation.

Miranda rights

The warning that suspects have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.

Rucho v. Common Cause

Ruled that partisan gerrymandering claims are political questions beyond the reach of federal courts.

Why Rucho matters

It left most partisan gerrymandering remedies to states rather than federal courts.

Worcester v. Georgia

Ruled that Georgia could not regulate Cherokee territory because Native American affairs were under federal authority.

Major limitation shown by Worcester v. Georgia

The Supreme Court depends on the executive branch to enforce its decisions.

First Amendment

Protects religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Establishment Clause

Government may not establish, promote, or favor a religion.

Free Exercise Clause

Government may not unfairly restrict religious belief or practice.

Freedom of speech

Protects expression from government censorship, but not all speech is protected.

Freedom of the press

Protects the media’s ability to publish information and criticize government.

Freedom of assembly

Protects the right to gather peacefully for political or social purposes.

Freedom to petition

Protects the right to ask government to address grievances.

Second Amendment

Protects the right to keep and bear arms.

Third Amendment

Prevents forced quartering of soldiers in private homes during peacetime.

Fourth Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures and requires warrants based on probable cause.

Probable cause

A reasonable basis for believing a crime occurred or evidence is present.

Fifth Amendment

Protects due process, grand jury indictment, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and just compensation.

Double jeopardy

A person cannot be tried twice for the same crime in the same jurisdiction after acquittal.

Self-incrimination

A person cannot be forced to testify against themselves.

Due process

Government must follow fair legal procedures before depriving someone of life, liberty, or property.

Eminent domain

Government power to take private property for public use with just compensation.

Sixth Amendment

Protects rights of criminal defendants, including speedy trial, public trial, impartial jury, counsel, and confrontation of witnesses.

Seventh Amendment

Protects the right to a jury trial in certain civil cases.

Eighth Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.

Ninth Amendment

Protects rights not specifically listed in the Constitution.

Tenth Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

Thirteenth Amendment

Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude except as punishment for crime.

Fourteenth Amendment

Defines citizenship and protects due process and equal protection against state governments.

Equal Protection Clause

States may not deny any person equal protection of the laws.

Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment

States may not deprive people of life, liberty, or property without due process.

Fifteenth Amendment

Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Sixteenth Amendment

Allows Congress to levy an income tax.

Seventeenth Amendment

Provides for direct election of U.S. senators by voters.

Eighteenth Amendment

Prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol.

Nineteenth Amendment

Prohibits denying the right to vote based on sex.

Twentieth Amendment

Moved the start dates for presidential and congressional terms and shortened the lame-duck period.

Twenty-First Amendment

Repealed Prohibition.

Twenty-Second Amendment

Limits presidents to two elected terms.

Twenty-Third Amendment

Gives Washington, D.C., electoral votes in presidential elections.

Twenty-Fourth Amendment

Abolishes poll taxes in federal elections.

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Establishes procedures for presidential succession and disability.

Twenty-Sixth Amendment

Lowers the voting age to 18.

Twenty-Seventh Amendment

Prevents congressional pay raises from taking effect until after the next House election.

Article I

Creates the legislative branch and gives Congress lawmaking power.

Article II

Creates the executive branch and establishes the presidency.

Article III

Creates the judicial branch and establishes the Supreme Court.

Article IV

Explains relationships among states and between states and the national government.

Article V

Explains the amendment process.

Article VI

Contains the Supremacy Clause and declares the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties the supreme law of the land.

Article VII

Explains ratification of the Constitution.

Supremacy Clause

Federal law and the Constitution override conflicting state laws.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

Elastic Clause

Another name for the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States must respect the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

States cannot unfairly discriminate against citizens of other states.

Republican government

A system where citizens elect representatives to make policy.

Direct democracy

A system where citizens vote directly on laws and policies.

Limited government

Government has only the powers granted by law or the Constitution.

Popular sovereignty

Government power comes from the consent of the governed.

Natural rights

Rights people possess by nature, such as life, liberty, and property.

Social contract

People agree to create government to protect rights, and government must serve the people.

Separation of powers

Dividing government power among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks and balances

Each branch has powers that can limit or influence the other branches.

Federalism

A system where power is divided between national and state governments.