Required SCOTUS Cases

AP Gov Required Cases

What was the situation behind Citizens United v. FEC (Federal Election Committee) (2010)?

Citizens United wanted to release a documentary of Hillary Clinton, a candidate for the 2008 election. The federal government denied the request, and Citizens United challenged this decision by saying that it infringed on their free speech.

What article/amendment relates to Citizens United v. FEC (Federal Election Committee) (2010)?

1st Amendment — Freedom of Speech (2010)

What was the situation behind Shaw v. Reno (1993)?

The U.S. Attorney General rejected a North Carolina congressional reapportionment plan because it created only one Black-majority district. The U.S. was dealing with racial representation and gerrymandering at the time.

What article/amendment relates to Shaw v. Reno? (1993)

14th Amendment — Equal Protection Clause (1993)

What was the situation behind Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?

Linda Brown was denied admission to a nearby all-white school solely because she was Black. She was offered to go to a farther all-Black school. Her mother, outraged, sued the Board of Education because of this discrimination.

What article/amendment relates to Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?

14th Amendment — Equal Protection Clause (1954)

What was the situation behind Baker v. Carr (1962)?

Tennessee’s district maps had not been changed in over 60 years, when they should have been changed every 10 years. This raised concerns about equal representation. 

What article/amendment relates to Baker v. Carr (1962)?

14th Amendment — Equal Protection Clause (1962)

What was the situation behind United States v. Lopez (1995)?

A senior in high school, Alfonso Lopez, brought a concealed handgun to his school. He was charged under the Gun-Free-School-Zones Act, but argued that Congress didn’t have the power to charge him.

What article/amendment relates to United States v. Lopez (1995)?

Article 1 — Commerce Clause

What was the situation behind Tinker v. Des Moines (1968)?

Students would wear armbands in support of a truce during the Vietnam War. Their principal suspended them over this.

What article/amendment relates to Tinker v. Des Moines (1968)?

1st Amendment — Freedom of Speech (1968)

What was the situation behind Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)?

A man was accused of breaking into a pool hall and stealing quarters. He could not afford a lawyer and was denied one by the court, and had to represent himself. He was convicted.

What article/amendment relates to Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)?

6th Amendment

What was the situation behind Marbury v. Madison (1803)?

William Marbury was a justice appointed by John Adams. Adams left office shortly before Marbury had a chance to claim his commission and was never admitted to the position.

What article/amendment relates to Marbury v. Madison (1803)?

Article III — Judicial Review

What was the situation behind Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)?

Amish parents refused to send their children to school past 8th grade. However, Wisconsin law required students to stay in school until 16 years of age.

What article/amendment relates to Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)?

1st Amendment — Freedom of Religion/Free Exercise Clause (1972)

What was the situation behind Schenck v. United States (1919)?

Charles Schenck was arrested in Philadelphia because he was distributing anti-draft pamphlets. The Espionage Act of 1917 prohibited “disclosing any information about the war.”

What article/amendment relates to Schenck v. United States (1919)?

1st Amendment — Freedom of Speech (1919)

What was the situation behind New York Times v. United States (1971)?

Military analyst Daniel Ellsberg leaked the Pentagon Papers to New York Times. The government sued NYT in fear of the papers’ publishment.

What article/amendment relates to New York Times v. United States (1971)?

1st Amendment — Freedom of the Press (1971)

What was the situation behind McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?

Maryland attempted to tax the Second United States Bank. James McCulloch refused to pay this tax and sued Maryland.

What article/amendment relates to McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?

Supremacy Clause

What was the situation behind Engel v. Vitale (1962)?

New York state law required students to begin the day with a nondenominational prayer. Students were forced to be present for these prayers. Parents argued that it violated the 1st Amendment.

What article/amendment relates to Engel v. Vitale (1962)?

1st Amendment — Freedom of Religion / Establishment Clause (1962)

What was the situation behind McDonald v. Chicago (2010)?

Chicago was extremely dangerous in some areas, although the city had a gun ban. McDonald was unable to purchase a gun due to this ban and argued that it goes against his rights to have a gun for self defense.

What article/amendment relates to McDonald v. Chicago (2010)?

2nd Amendment