AP GOV Unit 3: SC Cases

Marbury v. Madison

Issue: Whether the Supreme Court had the power to force delivery of Marbury’s commission.

Ruling: The Court (under John Marshall) ruled Marbury was entitled to his commission but the Court could not enforce it because the law giving it that power was unconstitutional.

Rationale: Established judicial review—the Court can declare laws unconstitutional.

Impact: Established judicial review, giving the Supreme Court power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Amendment/Clause: Article III + Supremacy Clause.

Schenck v. US

Issue: Whether limiting speech opposing the draft violated the First Amendment.

Ruling: The Court upheld Schenck’s conviction.

Rationale: Created the “clear and present danger” test—speech can be limited if it poses a real, immediate threat (e.g., wartime).

Impact: Limited free speech by allowing restrictions during times of clear and present danger.

Amendment: 1st Amendment (Free Speech).

Tinker v. Des Moines

Issue: Whether students’ symbolic speech (armbands protesting war) was protected.

Ruling: The Court ruled in favor of Tinker.

Rationale: Students do not lose free speech rights at school unless it causes substantial disruption.

Impact: Expanded student free speech rights in schools unless it causes disruption.

Amendment: 1st Amendment (Symbolic Speech).

New York Times v. US

Issue: Whether the government could prevent publication of the Pentagon Papers.

Ruling: The Court ruled in favor of the New York Times.

Rationale: Prior restraint is unconstitutional unless the government proves serious, immediate danger to national security.

Impact: Strengthened freedom of the press by limiting government censorship (prior restraint).

Amendment: 1st Amendment (Freedom of Press).

Engel v. Vitale

Issue: Whether school-sponsored prayer violated the Constitution.

Ruling: The Court ruled it was unconstitutional.

Rationale: Even non-denominational, voluntary prayer in public schools violates the Establishment Clause because it involves government endorsement of religion.

Impact: Banned school-sponsored prayer, reinforcing separation of church and state.

Amendment: 1st Amendment (Establishment Clause).

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Issue: Whether requiring Amish children to attend school past 8th grade violated religious freedom.

Ruling: The Court ruled in favor of Yoder.

Rationale: The state law burdened sincere religious practices without a compelling justification.

Impact: Protected religious freedom by allowing exemptions from certain state laws.

Amendment: 1st Amendment (Free Exercise Clause).

McDonald v. Chicago

Issue: Whether the Second Amendment applies to the states.

Ruling: The Court ruled that it does.

Rationale: Through selective incorporation via the 14th Amendment, the right to bear arms is a fundamental right that states must respect.

Impact: Extended the Second Amendment right to bear arms to the states.

Amendment: 2nd Amendment + 14th Amendment.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Issue: Whether states must provide attorneys to defendants who cannot afford one.

Ruling: The Court ruled in favor of Gideon.

Rationale: The right to counsel is fundamental to a fair trial and must be provided by states.

Impact: Guaranteed the right to a lawyer for defendants who cannot afford one.

Amendment: 6th Amendment (trial) + 14th Amendment (Due Process).

Dobbs v. Jackson / Roe v. Wade

Issue: Whether the Constitution protects a right to abortion.

Ruling: Roe (1973) established a constitutional right to abortion; Dobbs (2022) overturned Roe, ruling no such right exists federally.

Rationale: Roe relied on an implied right to privacy under due process; Dobbs argued the Constitution does not explicitly protect abortion and returned power to the states.

Impact: Shifted abortion rights from federal protection to state control.

Amendment: 14th Amendment (Due Process Clause).

Brown v. Board of Education

Issue: Whether racial segregation in public schools is constitutional.

Ruling: The Court ruled segregation is unconstitutional.

Rationale: “Separate but equal” is inherently unequal because segregation harms minority students and violates equal protection.

Impact: Ended legal school segregation and overturned “separate but equal.”

Amendment: 14th Amendment (Equal Protection Clause).

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

Issue: Whether civil disobedience against unjust laws is justified.

Argument: Martin Luther King Jr. argues individuals have a moral responsibility to break unjust laws.

Rationale: Distinguishes between just and unjust laws; emphasizes nonviolent resistance and urgency of action against injustice.

Impact: Justified civil disobedience against unjust laws and inspired the Civil Rights Movement.

Amendment/Principle: 14th Amendment (Equal Protection) + 1st Amendment (protest rights).

Federalist #78

Issue: Role and power of the judiciary.

Argument: Alexander Hamilton argues the judiciary is the least dangerous branch but must have independence.

Rationale: Courts must interpret laws and exercise judicial review to protect the Constitution.

Impact: Established the importance of an independent judiciary and judicial review.

Amendment/Clause: Article III + Supremacy Clause.