Required SCOTUS Cases - AP Gov

McCulloh v. Maryland

Background:
Congress created the second National Bank in 1816. Some states opposed it, fearing competition and arguing it was unconstitutional. ___ taxed the Baltimore branch $15,000/year. The bank’s cashier refused to pay, and the case reached the Supreme Court. ___ claimed states could tax businesses within their borders; the bank argued it was “necessary and proper” for Congress to establish.

Constitutional Issue:

• Did Congress have the authority to create the bank?

• Did ___’s tax unconstitutionally interfere with federal powers?

Ruling/Holding:

• Court ruled in favor of the bank.

• Congress can incorporate a bank, and ___ cannot tax federal instruments used to execute constitutional powers.

Significance:

• Reinforced the Supremacy Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause.

U.S. v. Lopez

Background:
A student brought a g*n to school and was charged under the Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990.

Constitutional Issue:

• Does the Act exceed Congress’s power under the Commerce Clause?

Ruling/Holding:

• 5-4 decision in favor of the student.

• Possessing a g*n in a local school is not an economic activity that substantially affects interstate commerce.

• If it were, Congress could regulate almost anything, limiting state police powers.

CtSignificance:

• Preserved federalism.

• Prevented federal encroachment on state powers.

Citizens United v. FEC

Background:
___ wanted to air a negative film about a presidential candidate during the 2008 primaries. The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) prohibited corporations, nonprofits, and unions from making “electioneering communications” close to elections.

Constitutional Issue:

• Did BCRA unconstitutionally restrict free speech by corporations and interest groups?

Ruling/Holding:

• 5-4 decision in favor of ___

• Struck down parts of BCRA, including bans on soft money and restrictions on political ad timing.

• Political spending by corporations, associations, and unions is protected speech under the First Amendment.

Significance:

• Led to a massive increase in political spending.

Engle v. Vitale

Background: Nondenominational prayer approved for public schools; students could opt out.
Constitutional Issue: Does school-led prayer violate the Establishment Clause?
Ruling/Holding: 6-1 for families; government-written prayer in public schools is unconstitutional.
Significance: Limited government-directed prayer in schools.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Background: Amish parents refused to send kids to public high school due to religious beliefs.
Constitutional Issue: Does the law requiring school attendance violate Free Exercise?
Ruling/Holding: 7-0 for parents; state interest outweighed by free exercise rights.
Significance: Set precedent protecting religious exemptions from education laws.

Schenck v. United States

Background: Socialist leaflets urged draft resistance during WWI; defendants charged under Espionage Act.
Constitutional Issue: Does this violate Free Speech?
Ruling/Holding: Unanimous for the government; speech creating clear and present danger not protected.
Significance: Established “clear and present danger” test; limited speech during wartime.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Background: Students wore armbands protesting Vietnam War; suspended.
Constitutional Issue: Does prohibiting symbolic protest violate Free Speech?
Ruling/Holding: 7-2 for students; armbands are protected speech unless it materially disrupts school.
Significance: Set student free speech precedent.

New York Times v. United States

Background: NYT published Pentagon Papers; government tried to block publication citing national security.
Constitutional Issue: Does prior restraint violate Press rights?
Ruling/Holding: 6-3 for NYT; government must overcome a heavy presumption against prior restraint.
Significance: Strengthened press protections against censorship.

McDonald v. Chicago

Background: Chicago handgun ban challenged after DC v. Heller decision.
Constitutional Issue: Does the 2nd Amendment apply to states via the 14th Amendment?
Ruling/Holding: 5-4 for McDonald; right to bear arms applies to states.
Significance: Incorporated 2nd Amendment to the states.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Background: Defendant denied court-appointed attorney in a felony case.
Constitutional Issue: Does 6th Amendment right to counsel apply to states?
Ruling/Holding: 9-0 for defendant; right to counsel applies via 14th Amendment.
Significance: All criminal defendants must have access to counsel.

Brown v. Board of Education

Background: Segregated public schools denied African American students admission.
Constitutional Issue: Does racial segregation violate Equal Protection Clause?
Ruling/Holding: 9-0 for students; “separate but equal” is inherently unequal.
Significance: Began desegregation of public schools.

Baker v. Carr

Background: Tennessee hadn’t redistricted since 1901; urban districts underrepresented.
Constitutional Issue: Can courts rule on legislative apportionment?
Ruling/Holding: 6-2 for plaintiffs; failure to redistrict violated Equal Protection Clause.
Significance: Led to widespread state legislative reapportionment.

Shaw v. Reno

Background: NC drew oddly shaped “majority-minority” districts.
Constitutional Issue: Is racial gerrymandering a 14th Amendment Equal Protection violation?
Ruling/Holding: 5-4 for residents; race cannot be predominant factor in redistricting.
Significance: Racial gerrymanders may be struck down.

Marbury v. Madison

Background: Appointee confirmed as federal judge; new administration refused to finalize.
Constitutional Issue: Does judicial review exist?
Ruling/Holding: 6-0 for administration; SCOTUS established judicial review, cannot issue writ due to unconstitutional law.
Significance: Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional.