AP US Gov. (Required Court Cases and Documents)

:(

The Declaration of Independence

(1776, July 4) - That announced the American colonies' separation from British rule. It articulated the colonies' grievances against King George III and foundational principles of individual rights (natural rights) and consent of the governed (popular sovereignty).

The Articles of Confederation

(1777) - Was written by the second Continental Congress, the articles were ratified by all 13 states causing a loose alliance between them. They established a weak federal government that only lasted long enough for them to win independence. (Could not tax citizens, lacked an executive and judiciary branch, no commerce regulation and no army.)

US Constitution

(1789) - Is the supreme law of the land outlining the national framework of government and fundamental rights. It replaced the Articles of Confederation and created a stronger federal government with checks and balances among three branches and various granted powers as well as implied powers.

Federalist No. 10

(1787) - Addresses the concern over special interests. James Madison tackles the Anti-Federalist critiques of the constitutional republic, he argued that through a republic so large and diverse no one faction is able to assert its will over all others, will control factions.

Brutus No. 1

(1787) - Is a Anti-Federalist and that the Constitution is a threat to the states and the people, especially concerning the people’s rights and the Necessary and Proper Clause and the Supremacy Clause and that a large republic cannot serve the people’s interests because the leaders will be too removed.

Federalist No. 51

(1788) - Written by James Madison mainly defends the Constitution’s checks and balances and how that helps create a limited government and protects liberty.

Federalist No. 70

(1788) - “The Executive Department Further Considered,” written by Alexander Hamilton. He argues that a single energetic executive (president) is the best form of executive branch because their will be better accountability and faster decisions as well as a lesser threat of tyranny.

Federalist No. 78

(1788) - “The Judicial Department,” written by Alexander Hamilton. He argues for an independent judiciary through lifelong tenure of Supreme Court judges and the positivity of judicial review.

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

(1963) - Written by Martin Luther King Jr. and condoned breaking unjust laws and states how injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. It advocates for nonviolent protest against segregation and urges direct action to combat racial injustice.

Marbury v. Madison

Judicial Review - Marbury was entitled to his commission, but the Supreme Court does not have the authority to issue the writ of mandamus (command of the court) to make Madison deliver it, because Section 13 of the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional so the courts cannot issue that in original actions . Marbury lost his commission but the Supreme Court established judicial review.

McCulloch vs. Maryland

Necessary and Proper Clause / Federal Supremacy - McCulloch won, there can be a national bank because of implied powers and Maryland can’t tax it because of the Supremacy Clause.

Gideon vs. Wainwright

Gideon won and guaranteed the right to an attorney for the poor in state courts, incorporating the 6th Amendment via the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause, denying legal counsel violates due process.

US vs. Lopez

Commerce Clause and Gun Free School Zones Act of 1990 - Lopez won and limited the definition of commerce for the federal government as well as declaring the act unconstitutional because having a gun near a school does not count as commerce.

Baker vs. Carr

14th Amendments Equal Protection Clause and Article III, Section 2 (Federal Judiciary Power) - Baker won and the doctrine ‘‘One Person One Vote’’ was made as well as establishing a revolution of sorts for better population representation in state districts and that federal courts have the jurisdiction to decide on these issues.

Shaw vs. Reno

14th Amendments Equal Protection Clause - Shaw won, North Carolina made a district using racial gerrymandering and the courts decided that that should be held to strict scrutiny.

Engel vs. Vitale

1st Amendment’s Establishment Clause "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." or they can’t make an official religion and 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause (clause makes the first amendments apply to the states) - Engel won ruling that school-sponsored, voluntary, non-denominational prayer in public schools is unconstitutional.

Wisconsin vs. Yoder

1st Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause (guaranteeing that people can practice their religion without government interference) and 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause (makes the states also comply to the bill of rights) - Yoder won making the Wisconsin Compulsory Attendance Law unconstitutional, which made all kids including Amish go to school till 16 conflicting with their beliefs, states can regulate education but they cannot infringe on fundamental religious freedoms.

Tinker vs. Des Moines

1st Amendments Freedom of Expression and 14th Amendments Due Process Clause - Tinker won, students wore black armbands to school to peacefully protest the Vietnam War but the school would suspended them. This case established that students in school did not lose their freedom of speech rights.

Schenck vs. US

1st Amendment’s Free Speech and the Espionage Act (made is illegal to cause insubordination or obstruct military drafts) - The speech that Charles Schenck had is not protected in the 1st Amendment because it passes the “Clear and Present Danger Test this caused restrictions by the government on anti war speech during war.

NY Times Co vs. US

1st Amendments Free Press and Prior Restraint - New York won because the government could not prove that prior restraint was necessary before publishcation, it did not pose a direct threat to national security to release the top secret Vietnam War documents, this held the government accountable. This is a win for freedom of the press.

McDonald vs. Chicago

2nd Amendment and the 14th Amendments Due Process Clause - McDonald won establishing 2nd Amendment rights to the state and local level governments. This was caused because in Chicago there was a handgun ban which is unconstitutional.

Brown vs. Board of Education

14th Amendments Equal Protection Clause - Overturned the doctrine “separate but equal” from Plessy vs. Ferguson because the segregated places are inherently unequal this case declared segregated schools as unconstitutional.

Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission

1st Amendments Freedom of Speech - Citizens United won, the Supreme Court ruled that the amendment prohibits the gov. from restricting independent political expenditures by corporations and unions on elections, fueling the creation of Super PACs (is a group that can raise and spend unlimited funds from individuals, unions, and corporations to advocate for or against political candidates, provided they do not coordinate directly with the campaigns.)