AP gov unit 3 review

1st amendment

The 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition. It ensures that citizens can express their opinions without government interference and prevents Congress from establishing a national religion.

4th amendment

The 4th Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. It requires law enforcement to have probable cause and obtain a warrant before conducting a search.

5th amendment

The 5th Amendment guarantees the right to due process, protection against self-incrimination, and protection from double jeopardy. It also includes the clause for just compensation when private property is taken for public use.

8th amendment

The 8th Amendment prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment. It ensures that punishments are fair and proportional to the crimes committed.

10th amendment

The 10th Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution to the states or the people. It emphasizes the principle of federalism in the United States.

14th amendment

The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. and guarantees equal protection under the law. It has been a cornerstone in civil rights cases, ensuring fairness and justice.

Dred Scott v Sanford

This 1857 Supreme Court case ruled that African Americans, whether free or enslaved, were not U.S. citizens and could not sue in federal court. It also declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, worsening tensions leading up to the Civil War.

Plessy v Ferguson

In 1896, this Supreme Court case upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine. It legitimized segregation laws until it was overturned by Brown v. Board of Education.

Engel v Vitale

In 1962, the Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and encourage its recitation in public schools. This case reinforced the separation of church and state.

Swann v Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education

In 1971, the Supreme Court upheld the use of busing as a means to achieve racial integration in public schools. This decision aimed to enforce desegregation more effectively after Brown v. Board of Education.

Schenck v U.S.

In 1919, the Supreme Court established the "clear and present danger" test, ruling that speech creating a clear risk to public safety is not protected under the First Amendment. This case involved anti-draft pamphlets during World War I.

McCulloch v Maryland

In 1819, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress had the power to create a national bank under the Necessary and Proper Clause. It also stated that states could not tax federal institutions, reinforcing federal supremacy.

NY Times Co. v U.S.

In 1971, the Supreme Court ruled that the government could not prevent the publication of the Pentagon Papers, reaffirming the principle of freedom of the press. This case set limits on prior restraint.

Marbury v Madison

Decided in 1803, this landmark case established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional. It significantly strengthened the judicial branch of government.

McDonald v Chicago

In 2010, the Supreme Court held that the Second Amendment right to bear arms applies to state and local governments through the 14th Amendment. This case extended gun rights protections nationwide.

Gideon v Wainwright

In 1963, the Supreme Court ruled that the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to legal counsel for defendants in criminal cases who cannot afford an attorney. This decision extended the right to counsel to state courts.

Lemon v Kurtzman

This 1971 case established the "Lemon Test," determining that government actions must not advance or inhibit religion and must avoid excessive entanglement with religion. The case involved public funding for religious schools.

Reynolds v U.S.

In 1879, the Supreme Court ruled that religious practices, such as polygamy, cannot justify violations of U.S. laws. It reinforced the idea that religious freedom has limits.

Oregon v Smith

In 1990, the Supreme Court ruled that states could deny unemployment benefits to workers fired for using illegal drugs, even if the use was part of a religious ritual. The decision limited the scope of free exercise protections.

Brown v Board of Education

In 1954, the Supreme Court declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson. This landmark case was pivotal in the Civil Rights Movement.

Martin Luther King’s Letter from the Birmingham Jail

Written in 1963, this letter defends the strategy of nonviolent resistance to racism and emphasizes the urgency of civil rights reforms. Dr. King eloquently addresses criticisms from white clergy and argues for moral responsibility to fight injustice.