Court Cases

Schenck v. United States

A case that ruled the 1st amendment does not protect speech creating a 'clear and present danger'.

Clear and Present Danger

A criterion used to test whether speech is protected by the 1st amendment.

Brown v. Board of Education

Ruling that racial segregation in schools is unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson.

equal protection clause

Plessy v. Ferguson

A ruling that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the doctrine of 'separate but equal'.

Baker v. Carr

gerrymandering is okay in many factors including race.

One Person, One Vote

A principle that stipulates each person's vote should carry the same weight.

Shaw v. Reno

A case that ruled against redistricting based on race.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Established the right to an attorney for defendants who cannot afford one.

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District

Affirmed students' 1st amendment rights in schools, barring substantial disruption.

New York Times Co. v. United States

Limited prior restraint; affirmed freedom of the press against presidential executive privilege.

Engel v. Vitale

Declared it unconstitutional to lead public schools in prayer.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Allowed Amish families to educate their children outside of public school past 8th grade.

exercise clause, but no illegal stuff

United States v. Lopez

Ruling that Congress cannot regulate carrying firearms in schools under the commerce clause.

Roe v. Wade

Affirmed women's right to abortion under the right to privacy.

McDonald v. Chicago

Ruled that the 2nd amendment applies to states through the 14th amendment.

violated liberties, due process

selective incorporation

Citizens United v. Federal Elections Committee

A ruling that established that political spending by corporations, associations, and labor unions is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.

McCulloh v. Maryland

Supremacy clause

federal over state

Marbury v. Madison

Judicial review

ruling a law unconstitutional