SCOTUS Cases and Related Clauses

A connection between the 14 required SCOTUS cases and their respective clauses

McCulloch v. Maryland

A landmark Supreme Court case decided in 1819 that established the principle of federal supremacy over state laws and confirmed the implied powers of Congress under the Necessary and Proper Clause. It ruled that Maryland could not tax the Second Bank of the United States, reinforcing the federal government's authority.

U.S. v. Lopez

A Supreme Court case decided in 1995 that limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause by ruling that the Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded its authority.

Baker v. Carr

A Supreme Court case decided in 1962 that established the principle of "one person, one vote" and addressed issues of legislative redistricting, asserting that federal courts could intervene in state redistricting cases.

Shaw v. Reno

A Supreme Court case decided in 1993 that addressed racial gerrymandering and held that redistricting based on race must be held to a standard of strict scrutiny, ensuring that it does not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Marbury v. Madison

A Supreme Court case decided in 1803 that established the principle of judicial review, allowing courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Engle v. Vitale

A Supreme Court case decided in 1962 that ruled against school-sponsored prayer in public schools, stating it violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

A Supreme Court case decided in 1972 that held that the state's interest in educating children did not outweigh the parents' rights to educate their children in accordance with their religious beliefs, thus violating the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.

Schenck v. United States

A Supreme Court case decided in 1919 that upheld the conviction of Charles Schenck for distributing anti-draft pamphlets, establishing the "clear and present danger" test for limits on free speech.

Tinker v. Des Moines

A Supreme Court case decided in 1969 that ruled students do not lose their First Amendment rights to free speech at school, as long as their speech does not disrupt educational activities.

New York TImes v. United States

A Supreme Court case decided in 1971 that upheld the right of the press to publish the Pentagon Papers, reinforcing the principle of prior restraint in the context of free speech under the First Amendment.

McDonald v. Chicago

A Supreme Court case decided in 2010 that incorporated the Second Amendment right to bear arms to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment, ruling that Chicago's handgun ban was unconstitutional.

Gideon v. Wainright

A Supreme Court case decided in 1963 that guaranteed the right to counsel for defendants in criminal cases under the Sixth Amendment, ensuring that those who cannot afford an attorney will be provided one.

Brown v. Board of Education

A landmark Supreme Court case decided in 1954 that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson.

Citizens United v. FEC

A Supreme Court case decided in 2010 that ruled political spending by corporations and unions is protected under the First Amendment, leading to increased campaign financing.