Supreme Court Cases and Constitutional Amendments Review

Flashcards based on lecture notes covering landmark Supreme Court cases and constitutional amendments.

McCulloch vs Maryland (1819)

Federal government law has priority over state law through the necessary and proper clause.

Wisconsin vs Yoder (1972)

State governments cannot prevent the free exercise of religion.

Schenck vs United States (1919)

Freedom of speech does not apply if it presents a 'clear + present danger' to the government.

United States vs Lopez (1995)

Establishes boundaries between state and federal government when passing laws outside of commerce.

Tinker vs Des Moines (1969)

Incorporates First Amendment freedom of speech.

Gideon vs Wainwright (1963)

Government incorporates the 6th Amendment to the states, ensuring legal counsel.

Engel vs Vitale (1962)

School cannot establish prayer due to the Establishment Clause (1st Amendment).

NY Times vs United States (1964)

U.S. government has limited power to use prior restraint; relates to freedom of the press (1st Amendment).

Citizens United vs FEC (2010)

Deals with campaign finance and the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA).

McDonald vs Chicago (2010)

Government incorporated the 2nd Amendment (bear arms) to the states.

Brown vs Board of Education (1954)

Overturned Plessy vs Ferguson and made school segregation unconstitutional.

Shaw vs Reno (1998)

Race cannot be a factor in gerrymandering; relates to the Equal Protections Clause (14th Amendment).

Baker vs Carr (1962)

Courts can rule on apportionment; relates to the Equal Protections Clause (14th Amendment).

Marbury vs Madison (1803)

Established judicial review, allowing SCOTUS to decide if cases are unconstitutional.

Establishment Clause

Prohibits the government from establishing or favoring a religion.

Free Exercise Clause

Guarantees the right to practice religion freely.

Criminal Procedure Clause

Provisions that govern the procedures used in criminal prosecutions.

Due Process Clause

Guarantees that one can't be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due legal proceedings.

Takings Clause

Government cannot take private property without compensation.

Citizenship Clause

Everyone born or naturalized in the U.S. is a citizen.

Equal Protection Clause

Guarantees all individuals equal protection under the law.

Enforcement Clause

Congress can adopt appropriate legislation to enforce other parts of an amendment.

Privileges or Immunities Clause

Citizens of one state are to be treated no differently than citizens of another state.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Congress can make laws necessary and proper to carry out enumerated powers.

Interstate Commerce Clause

Grants Congress the power to regulate commerce between states and with foreign nations.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating the boundaries of an electoral constituency to favor one party/class

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA)

Federal law aimed at eliminating soft money contributions to national political parties and impose stricter limits on individual contributions

Selective Incorporation

Applies portions of the bill of rights to state and local governments through the due process clause

Bully Pulpit

The president's powerful platform for communicating with the public and influencing policy agendas