AP Gov Unit 6 Test

Barron v. Baltimore (1833) - Background

John Barron owned a profitable wharf in Baltimore harbor. The city, while engaging in road construction projects, diverted streams that created sediment deposits around his wharf, making it too shallow for most vessels.

Barron v. Baltimore (1833) - Question Posed

Does the Bill of Rights apply to state governments?

Barron v. Baltimore (1833) - Ruling

The Bill of Rights only applied to actions by the federal government, not to state governments. In favor of government.

Barron v. Baltimore (1833) - Lasting Impact

Established that the Bill of Rights originally only restricted federal government actions, not state actions.

Gitlow v. New York (1925) - Background

Benjamin Gitlow, a socialist, was arrested and convicted under New York's Criminal Anarchy Law for publishing and distributing the 'Left Wing Manifesto' that advocated for violent overthrow of the government.

Gitlow v. New York (1925) - Question Posed

Does the First Amendment's free speech protection apply to state governments through the Fourteenth Amendment?

Gitlow v. New York (1925) - Ruling

The Court upheld Gitlow's conviction but established that the First Amendment's free speech protections could be applied to state governments through the 14th Amendment. In favor of government.

Gitlow v. New York (1925) - Lasting Impact

This case marked the beginning of the incorporation doctrine, establishing that certain protections in the Bill of Rights could be applied to states through the 14th Amendment's due process clause.

Engel v. Vitale (1962) - Background

New York State schools adopted a state-composed, voluntary prayer to be recited each morning. Parents complained and sued.

Engel v. Vitale (1962) - Question Posed

Does the reading of a state-composed prayer in public schools violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment?

Engel v. Vitale (1962) - Ruling

The Court ruled 6-1 that the state-sponsored prayer in public schools violated the Establishment Clause, even if it was denominationally neutral.

Engel v. Vitale (1962) - Lasting Impact

Established that state-sponsored prayer in public schools is unconstitutional, setting a strong precedent for the separation of church and state in public education.

Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971) - Background

Pennsylvania and Rhode Island adopted statutes providing for the state to pay for aspects of private, religious education.

Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971) - Question Posed

When does government involvement with religion violate the First Amendment's Establishment Clause?

Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971) - Ruling

The Court established the three-part 'Lemon Test' to evaluate government actions involving religion.

Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971) - Lasting Impact

Created the influential 'Lemon Test' for evaluating Establishment Clause cases, though its influence has diminished in recent years.

Schenck v. U.S. (1919) - Background

During WWI, Charles Schenck distributed leaflets encouraging draft resistance. He was arrested under the Espionage Act.

Schenck v. U.S. (1919) - Question Posed

Does the First Amendment protect speech that presents a 'clear and present danger' to national security?

Schenck v. U.S. (1919) - Ruling

The Court unanimously upheld Schenck's conviction, establishing that free speech can be limited during wartime.

Schenck v. U.S. (1919) - Lasting Impact

Established that free speech is not absolute and introduced the 'clear and present danger' test.

Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969) - Background

Clarence Brandenburg, a KKK leader, gave a speech at a rally suggesting possible 'revengeance' against the government.

Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969) - Question Posed

Does speech advocating violent political reform receive First Amendment protection?

Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969) - Ruling

The Court established the 'Brandenburg Test': speech advocating illegal conduct is protected unless directed to inciting imminent lawless action.

Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969) - Lasting Impact

Replaced the 'clear and present danger' test with the more speech-protective 'Brandenburg Test,' which remains the standard for evaluating inflammatory speech.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) - Background

Three students wore black armbands to school to protest the Vietnam War and were suspended.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) - Question Posed

Does the First Amendment protect students' right to express political views in public schools?

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) - Ruling

Students don't 'shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate.' Schools can only restrict expression that substantially disrupts operations.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) - Lasting Impact

Established strong protections for student political expression in schools, creating the 'substantial disruption' test.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961) - Background

Police forcibly entered Mapp's home without a valid warrant, finding allegedly obscene materials and arresting her.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961) - Question Posed

Should evidence obtained through illegal searches be admissible in state courts?

Mapp v. Ohio (1961) - Ruling

The Court applied the exclusionary rule to state courts, requiring that evidence obtained through illegal searches be excluded.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961) - Lasting Impact

Incorporated the Fourth Amendment's exclusionary rule to the states, affecting law enforcement practices.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966) - Background

Miranda was arrested and confessed during interrogation without being informed of his right to remain silent.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966) - Question Posed

Must law enforcement inform suspects of their constitutional rights before custodial interrogation?

Miranda v. Arizona (1966) - Ruling

The Court required police to inform suspects of their rights before custodial interrogation (Miranda Rights).

Miranda v. Arizona (1966) - Lasting Impact

Created the requirement for 'Miranda warnings,' changing police procedures significantly.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) - Background

Gideon was charged with breaking into a poolroom and was denied a court-appointed lawyer due to being indigent.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) - Question Posed

Does the Sixth Amendment's right to counsel require states to provide attorneys for criminal defendants who cannot afford them?

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) - Ruling

The Court unanimously ruled that states must provide lawyers for criminal defendants who cannot afford them.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) - Lasting Impact

Established that states must provide public defenders for indigent defendants, expanding access to legal representation.

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) - Background

Heller challenged D.C.'s gun control law that effectively banned handgun possession in homes.

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) - Question Posed

Does the Second Amendment protect an individual's right to own firearms unconnected with service in a militia?

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) - Ruling

The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess firearms for lawful purposes.

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) - Lasting Impact

First Supreme Court case to establish an individual right to gun ownership independent of militia service.

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) - Background

Griswold was arrested for providing contraception advice to married couples, violating a state law.

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) - Question Posed

Does the Constitution protect the right of marital privacy against state restrictions on contraception?

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) - Ruling

A constitutional right to privacy exists, striking down the contraception law.

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) - Lasting Impact

Established a constitutional right to privacy, laying groundwork for future reproductive rights cases.

Roe v. Wade (1973) - Background

'Jane Roe' challenged Texas laws criminalizing abortion except to save the mother's life.

Roe v. Wade (1973) - Question Posed

Does the Constitution protect a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy?

Roe v. Wade (1973) - Ruling

The right to privacy encompasses a woman's right to abortion, subject to state regulation.

Roe v. Wade (1973) - Lasting Impact

Established constitutional protection for abortion rights and created the trimester framework.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022) - Background

Mississippi passed a law banning most abortions after 15 weeks, challenging Roe v. Wade.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022) - Question Posed

Is there a constitutional right to abortion, and should Roe and Casey be overturned?

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022) - Ruling

The Court overturned Roe and Casey, holding that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022) - Lasting Impact

Eliminated federal constitutional protection for abortion rights, allowing states to restrict abortion access.

New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen (2022) - Background

Individuals challenged New York's licensing regime for carrying handguns, requiring 'proper cause' for permits.

New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen (2022) - Question Posed

Does New York's 'proper cause' requirement for concealed carry permits violate the Second Amendment?

New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen (2022) - Ruling

New York's 'proper cause' requirement violates the Second and Fourteenth Amendments.

New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen (2022) - Lasting Impact

Expanded Second Amendment protections, requiring gun regulations to be consistent with historical tradition.

Kennedy v. Bremerton School District (2022) - Background

Joseph Kennedy was suspended for praying on the field after games, violating the Establishment Clause.

Kennedy v. Bremerton School District (2022) - Question Posed

Does a public school employee's prayer during school events violate the Establishment Clause?

Kennedy v. Bremerton School District (2022) - Ruling

The coach's prayers were protected by the First Amendment; the school district violated his rights.

Kennedy v. Bremerton School District (2022) - Lasting Impact

Modified approaches to Establishment Clause cases, allowing more religious expression in public schools.

Bethel School District v. Fraser (1987) - Background

Matthew Fraser gave a speech using sexual innuendos at a student government election.

Bethel School District v. Fraser (1987) - Question Posed

Does the First Amendment prevent schools from prohibiting vulgar and lewd speech?

Bethel School District v. Fraser (1987) - Ruling

Schools can prohibit vulgar, lewd, or plainly offensive speech.

Bethel School District v. Fraser (1987) - Lasting Impact

Limited Tinker by establishing that schools can restrict vulgar and lewd speech.

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988) - Background

A principal removed articles from the school newspaper regarding divorce and teen pregnancy.

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988) - Question Posed

Do educators' decisions to censor student publications violate students' First Amendment rights?

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988) - Ruling

Schools can censor student expression if it is reasonably related to legitimate pedagogical concerns.

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988) - Lasting Impact

Limited student speech rights, giving schools broad authority to regulate student expression.

Morse v. Frederick (2007) - Background

Student Joseph Frederick displayed a banner reading 'BONG HiTS 4 JESUS' at a school event.

Morse v. Frederick (2007) - Question Posed

Can schools restrict student speech that seems to promote illegal drug use?

Morse v. Frederick (2007) - Ruling

Schools may restrict student speech promoting illegal drug use.

Morse v. Frederick (2007) - Lasting Impact

Created an exception to Tinker, allowing schools to restrict speech promoting drug use.

Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. (2021) - Background

A student posted a vulgar message on Snapchat about not making the varsity team and was suspended.

Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. (2021) - Question Posed

Can public schools regulate off-campus student speech on social media?

Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. (2021) - Ruling

The school violated the student's First Amendment rights, limiting authority to regulate off-campus speech.

Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. (2021) - Lasting Impact

Established limited authority for schools to regulate off-campus student speech, particularly on social media.

Carpenter v. United States (2018) - Background

Police obtained cell phone location data without a warrant to place Timothy Carpenter near robbery locations.

Carpenter v. United States (2018) - Question Posed

Does the government's acquisition of cell phone location records constitute a search requiring a warrant?

Carpenter v. United States (2018) - Ruling

Accessing historical cell phone location records constitutes a search requiring a warrant.

Carpenter v. United States (2018) - Lasting Impact

Extended Fourth Amendment protections to digital data, requiring warrants for cell phone location data.

Roper v. Simmons (2005) - Background

Christopher Simmons was sentenced to death for a murder he committed at age 17.

Roper v. Simmons (2005) - Question Posed

Does the execution of minors constitute cruel and unusual punishment?

Roper v. Simmons (2005) - Ruling

Executing individuals for crimes committed as minors is unconstitutional.

Roper v. Simmons (2005) - Lasting Impact

Abolished the death penalty for juvenile offenders, reflecting evolving standards of decency.

Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992) - Background

Pennsylvania enacted abortion restrictions which Planned Parenthood challenged.

Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992) - Question Posed

Should Roe v. Wade be overturned, and what standard should govern abortion regulations?

Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992) - Ruling

Upheld Roe's central holding but replaced the trimester framework with an 'undue burden' test.

Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992) - Lasting Impact

Created the 'undue burden' standard for abortion regulations and allowed for state regulation.

Carson v. Makin (2022) - Background

Maine's tuition assistance program for rural areas excluded religious schools, challenged by families.

Carson v. Makin (2022) - Question Posed

Can a state exclude religious schools from a program providing tuition assistance for private education?

Carson v. Makin (2022) - Ruling

Excluding religious schools from the tuition program violated the Free Exercise Clause.

Carson v. Makin (2022) - Lasting Impact

Expanded religious schools' access to public funding, continuing accommodation for religious institutions.

McDonald v. City of Chicago (2010) - Background

Chicago residents challenged the city's ban on handgun possession after the Heller decision.

McDonald v. City of Chicago (2010) - Question Posed

Does the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms apply to state and local governments?

McDonald v. City of Chicago (2010) - Ruling

The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms is incorporated under the Fourteenth Amendment.

McDonald v. City of Chicago (2010) - Lasting Impact

Incorporated the Second Amendment to the states, ensuring respect for individual gun rights.