AP Gov

Marbury VS Madison

was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1803 that established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Court to invalidate laws and executive actions deemed unconstitutional. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

McCulloch VS Maryland

was a significant Supreme Court case in 1819 that affirmed the federal government's implied powers and established the supremacy of federal law over state law. SUPREMACY CLAUSE.

Schneck VS U.S.

was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1919 that addressed limits on free speech, establishing the "clear and present danger" test. This case involved Charles Schenck, who was convicted for distributing pamphlets opposing the draft during World War I. FREE SPEECH AND CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER.

Brown VS Board Of Education

Race-based school segregation violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment,

Baker V. Carr

This case held that redistricting did not raise political questions, allowing federal courts to hear other cases that challenge redistricting plans that may violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. GERRYMANDERING

Engel VS Vitale

School sponsorship of religious activities violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. No praying in the school.

Gideon V. Wainwright

In this case, the Sixth Amendment’s right to an attorney extends procedural due process protections to felony defendants in state courts.

Tinker V. Des Moines Independent Community School District

A prohibition against public school students wearing black armbands in school to protest the Vietnam War violated the students’ freedom of speech protections in the First Amendment.

New York Times Co. V. United States

This case bolstered the freedom of the press protections of the First Amendment, establishing a “heavy presumption against prior restraint” even in cases involving national security.

Wisconsin V. Yoder

Compelling Amish students to attend school past the eighth grade violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.

Shaw V. Reno

Under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause, majority-minority districts, created under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, may be constitutionally challenged by voters if race is the only factor used in creating the district.

United States V. Lopez

Congress exceeded its power under the Commerce Clause when it made possession of a gun in a school zone a federal crime.

McDonald v. Chicago

The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for self-defense is applicable to the states.

Citizens United V. Federal Election Commission

Political spending by corporations, associations, and labor unions is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.

Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation created a loose alliance of independent states after the American Revolution. They were adopted by the Second Continental Congress in 1777 and ratified in 1781.

Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is the document in which the Thirteen Colonies formally announced their separation from Great Britain. It was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.

Federalist 10

The Constitution’s federal system (a large, representative republic) is the best safeguard against the dangers of factionalism.

Federalist 51

The Constitution’s structure limits government power and protects individual liberty.

Federalist 70

A unitary, energetic presidency is essential for effective government and national security.

Federalist 78

The judiciary is essential to maintaining the Constitution and protecting individual rights, even though it is the weakest branch in terms of force or money.

Brutus 1

A large, centralized government threatens liberty. States and people would be better protected under a decentralized system.

Constitution

The risks of a large, powerful national government on individual liberty and state sovereignty.

Letter from Birmingham Jail

A letter written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while imprisoned in Birmingham, Alabama. Responds to a group of white clergymen who criticized his civil rights protests as “untimely” and “unwise.” It is a defense of nonviolent civil disobedience and a call for justice.