AP Government Documents and Cases

Declaration of Independence (1776)

The fundamental document establishing the US as an independent nation, adopted on July 4, 1776. It declared the 13 colonies independent from Britain, offered reasons for the separation laid out the principles for which the Revolution was fought

U.S. Constitution (1787)

A document that embodies the fundamental laws and principles by which the United States is governed.

Articles of Confederation

the original constitution of the US, ratified in 1781, which was replaced by the US Constitution in 1789.

Brutus I

written to discourage ratification of the Constitution, the document examines the major complaints of the Constitution which are: 1.) too much power to national government via implied 2.) specter of the standing army 3.) presidency is too powerful 4.) lack of Bill of Rights 5.) national government rules over too large a nation 6.) courts are too powerful

Federalist 10

An essay composed by James Madison which argues that liberty is safest in a large republic because many interests (factions) exist. Such diversity makes tyranny by the majority more difficult since ruling coalitions will always be unstable.

Federalist 51

Argues that separation of powers within the national government is the best way to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of one person or a single group.

Federalist 70

Alexander Hamilton 1788; small states want plural executive. He thought there should be a single Executive because it would be more stable and easier for the people to keep up with. Energy and executive, duration of term, unity

Federalist 78

written by Alexander Hamilton; talks about the federal judiciary; judiciary must depend on other two branches to uphold its decisions

"Letter from a Birmingham Jail," 1963

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. Advocated nonviolence protest methods

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established judicial review - the power to declare a law unconstitutional.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

the Supreme Court upheld the power of the national government and denied the right of a state to tax the federal bank using the Constitution's supremacy clause. The Court's broad interpretation of the necessary and proper clause paved the way for later rulings upholding expansive federal powers

U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

Gun Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress' authority to regulate interstate commerce.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

"One man, one vote." Ordered state legislative districts to be as near equal as possible in population; Warren Court's judicial activism.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

NO racial gerrymandering; race cannot be the sole or predominant factor in redrawing legislative boundaries; majority-minority districts.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

corporations have a 1st Amendment right to expressly support political candidates for Congress and the White House

Engle v. Vitale (1962)

Held that public schools cannot require students to say prayers

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

The Court ruled that Wisconsin could not require Amish parents to send their children to public school beyond the eighth grade because it would violate long-held religious beliefs.

Schenck v. US (1919)

Allows limits to speech based on the "clear and present danger" principle

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Guaranteed a student's right to protest (wearing armbands).

New York Times v. US

Prior Restraint. Overruled Nixon's attempt to prevent publication of Vietnam documents

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 (1963)

Ordered states to provide lawyers for those unable to afford them in criminal proceedings. Warren Court's judicial activism in criminal rights.

Brown v. Board of Education

1954 - The Supreme Court overruled Plessy v. Ferguson, declared that racially segregated facilities are inherently unequal and ordered all public schools desegregated.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Abortion rights fall within the privacy implied in the 14th amendment

Bill of Rights (1791)

Popular term for the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The amendments secure key rights for individuals and reserve to the states all powers not explicitly delegated or prohibited by the Constitution.