AP GOV SCOTUS Cases and Foundational Docs (thus far)

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Established national supremacy; established implied powers; use of elastic clause; state unable to tax fed. Institution; John Marshall; "the power to tax involves the power to destroy."

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Commerce clause of Constitution does not give Congress the power to regulate guns near state-operated schools

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established judicial review empowering the Supreme Court to nullify an act of the legis. or exec. branch that violates the Constitution

Baker v. Carr (1962)

"One man, one vote." Ordered state legislative districts to be as near equal as possible in population

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

NO racial gerrymandering; race cannot be the sole or predominant factor in redrawing legislative boundaries; majority-minority districts.

Federalist 10

Large republic mitigates factions because of diverse interests and opinions. Factions can never be eliminated without infringing upon liberties

Brutus I

Antifederalist, believes large republic would stomp on states rights, advocates for bill of rights

Declaration of Independence

All people created equal (natural rights of life, liberty, Property), Governments are created to protect these rights, if Gov’t does not protect these rights, then the People have the duty to change/destroy

Articles of Confederation

Very weak central government in which each state is its own sovereign, could not raise taxes or an army

Federalist 51

proposes three branches with checks and balances, including a bicameral legislative branch

Federalist 70

Unity and energy in the executive-- only one person in charge of the branch who has the power to act decisively in emergency situations.