Semester 1 Foundational Documents: AP Gov

Decleration of Independence

Breakup letter with the British. Lockean Ideals. Secure natural rights. Consent of the governed
"We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal"

Brutus 1

Antifederalist. It is impossible to have a Large republic and have a stable government.
Having a confederacy would be better

Federalist 10

Federalist. Pluralist. factions are a necessary evil, greater republic allows greater public interest to be heard (madison)

Federalist 51

Separation of powers & checks & balances protects against tyranny
If men were angels, we wouldn't need a gov.

Articles of Confederation

1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade)

McCulloch v. Maryland

Maryland was trying to tax the national bank and Supreme Court ruled that federal law was stronger than the state law
Necessary and Proper Clause, Implied Powers

The Constitution

Spells out the powers given to each branch of the government. There are exclusive, shared, and checking powers for each branch.

United States v. Lopez

Congress had exceeded its commerce clause power by prohibiting guns in a school zone

Baker v. Carr

Tennessee hadn't redrawn district, caused unequal votes. SCOTUS got involved in political questions.
One man, one vote
14th Amendment, Equal Protection Clause

Shaw v. Reno

NO racial gerrymandering; race cannot be the sole or predominant factor in redrawing legislative boundaries; majority-minority districts.
14th Amendment, equal protection clause

Federalist 78

Judicial branch is the least dangerous branch
Judicial Review checks legislative branch
Intermediate between people and legislature

Marburry v. Madison

Established judicial review
Jurisdiction Clause (Article III)

Federalist 70

US requires a strong, energetic executive; plural executive is dangerous

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution. Antifederalist wouldn't sign without it.
Protects from FEDERAL gov.

Engel v. Vitale

Non denominational prayer in school
banned formal prayer in schools, government would not make any religion the 'official' religion.
Establishment Clause

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Amish children do not have to go to school until they are 16---they may stop after the 8th grade
Free Exercise Clause

Schenk v. US

Speech that creates a "clear and present danger"---especially during war times—can be limited. Free speech is not "absolute".
First Amendment: Free speech clause

New York Times v. US

Prior Restraint. Overruled Nixon's attempt to prevent publication of Vietnam documents
First Amendment: Freedom of the press.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Students have the right to symbolic speech at school as long as it is not disruptive
First Amendment: Free Speech

McDonald v. Chicago

The right of an individual to "keep and bear arms" protected by the 2nd Amendment is incorporated by the due process clause of the 14th Amendment and applies to the states.

Gideon v. Wainwright

A person who cannot afford an attorney may have one appointed by the government
6th Amendment: Right to an attorney

Brown v. Board of Education

court found that segregation was a violation of the Equal Protection clause "separate but equal" has no place
14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause

Letter from Birmingham Jail

A letter written by Martin Luther King Jr. after he had been arrested when he took part in a nonviolent march against segregation. He was disappointed more Christians didn't speak out against racism.