APGOV SCOTUS + DOCS

Declaration of Independence

Argument: Natural rights + right to overthrow tyranny; Significance: foundation of American ideals and legitimacy of revolution

Articles of Confederation

Argument: prioritize state power, limit central gov; Significance: showed weaknesses → led to Constitution

U.S. Constitution

Argument: stronger national gov with limits; Significance: framework of US government + federalism

Federalist No. 10

Argument: large republic controls factions; Significance: supports pluralism and extended republic

Federalist No. 51

Argument: checks and balances prevent tyranny; Significance: justification for separation of powers

Federalist No. 70

Argument: need strong single executive; Significance: basis for unitary presidency

Federalist No. 78

Argument: judiciary interprets law, has judicial review; Significance: legitimizes courts’ power

Brutus No. 1

Argument: Constitution too powerful, threatens liberty; Significance: basis for Bill of Rights demand

Letter from Birmingham Jail

Argument: moral duty to disobey unjust laws; Significance: justification for civil rights activism

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Facts: Marbury denied commission; Issue: can Court force delivery?; Holding: established judicial review; Reasoning: Constitution is supreme law

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Facts: MD taxed national bank; Issue: can states tax fed gov?; Holding: no + implied powers; Reasoning: Necessary & Proper + Supremacy Clause

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Facts: gun at school law; Issue: commerce clause reach?; Holding: law unconstitutional; Reasoning: not economic activity

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Facts: school prayer; Issue: violates Establishment Clause?; Holding: yes; Reasoning: gov cannot endorse religion

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Facts: Amish schooling law; Issue: free exercise?; Holding: Amish exempt; Reasoning: religion outweighs state interest

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Facts: armband protest; Issue: student speech?; Holding: protected; Reasoning: not disruptive

New York Times v. United States (1971)

Facts: Pentagon Papers; Issue: prior restraint?; Holding: unconstitutional; Reasoning: no immediate danger

Schenck v. United States (1919)

Facts: anti-draft speech; Issue: protected?; Holding: not protected; Reasoning: clear and present danger

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Facts: no lawyer; Issue: right to counsel?; Holding: yes; Reasoning: 6th Amendment incorporated

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Facts: abortion law; Issue: privacy?; Holding: protected; Reasoning: 14th Amendment liberty

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Facts: gun ban; Issue: 2nd apply to states?; Holding: yes; Reasoning: incorporation via 14th

Brown v. Board (1954)

Facts: school segregation; Issue: equal protection?; Holding: unconstitutional; Reasoning: separate ≠ equal

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Facts: campaign spending; Issue: speech limits?; Holding: protected; Reasoning: money = speech

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Facts: unequal districts; Issue: justiciable?; Holding: yes; Reasoning: equal protection allows review

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Facts: racial districts; Issue: constitutional?; Holding: unconstitutional; Reasoning: race cannot dominate redistricting