required cases

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Confirmed Congress's implied powers and established that states cannot tax the federal government.

Schenck v. the United States (1919)

Addressed limits on free speech during wartime, ruling that speech creating a 'clear and present danger' is not protected by the First Amendment.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional and overturned the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Ruled that state-sponsored prayer in public schools violates the First Amendment's Establishment Clause.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Addressed legislative redistricting, ruling that federal courts could intervene under the principle of 'one person, one vote'.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Held that the right to counsel is a fundamental right, requiring states to provide attorneys for defendants who cannot afford one.

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)

Affirmed students' rights to free speech in schools, ruling that they do not lose their constitutional rights at school.

New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)

Ruled that attempts to prevent publication of the Pentagon Papers violated freedom of the press.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Recognized the rights of Amish parents to educate their children outside formal schooling based on religious beliefs.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Focused on racial gerrymandering, ruling that redistricting based on race must be subject to strict scrutiny.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause, ruling that not all activities could be federally regulated.

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Applied the Second Amendment to the states, ruling that individuals have the right to bear arms for self-defense.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

Ruled that government restrictions on independent political expenditures by corporations and unions violate the First Amendment.