AP Government Exam - Court Cases and Foundational Documents

AP Government Exam Review Flashcards - Vocabulary

McCulloch v. Maryland

Established that Congress has implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause (Article 1, Section 8) and that states cannot tax the federal government.

U.S. v. Lopez

Ruled that the federal government's power under the Commerce Clause is limited and that gun possession in school zones is not an economic activity that can be regulated by Congress.

Baker v. Carr

Established the 'one person, one vote' principle and that challenges to state legislative districts are justiciable (can be heard by federal courts) under the Equal Protection Clause.

Shaw v. Reno

Held that race cannot be the predominant factor in drawing legislative districts, as it violates the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.

Marbury v. Madison

Established the principle of judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Engel v. Vitale

Ruled that mandatory prayer in public schools violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Held that Amish students cannot be forced to attend school until age 16 because it violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Ruled that students retain their First Amendment rights on school grounds, including symbolic speech, unless it causes substantial disruption.

Schenck v. United States

Established that freedom of speech can be limited during wartime if it presents a 'clear and present danger.'

New York Times v. United States

Ruled that the government cannot prevent the publication of classified information unless it can prove it presents a direct and immediate threat to national security.

McDonald v. Chicago

Incorporated the Second Amendment, making it applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Ruled that criminal defendants have the right to counsel, and state courts must appoint attorneys for those who cannot afford them, under the Sixth Amendment.

Brown v. Board of Education

Declared that 'separate but equal' is unconstitutional, ending legalized racial segregation in schools, violating the 14th Amendment.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

Ruled that corporations and unions can spend unlimited amounts of money on political communications, as it is protected by the First Amendment.

Roe v. Wade

Established a woman's right to an abortion under the right to privacy, protected by the Fourteenth Amendment.

Declaration of Independence

Document declaring the US reasons for breaking away from England, asserting natural rights, and the purpose of government as protection of those rights.

Federalist 10

Essay discussing how to control factions in a republic by diluting their power through a large population and diverse interests.

Brutus No. 1

Anti-Federalist paper arguing that the Constitution gives too much power to the federal government and that a confederacy is better.

Articles of Confederation

First constitution of the United States that put most of the power in the hands of the states.

US Constitution

Establishes a republican style of government with more power in the federal government including a Bill of Rights with specific rights.

Federalist 51

Essay discussing separation of powers/checks and balances with power divided both within federal gov and between federal and state gov (federalism).

Federalist 70

Essay arguing for a single, powerful executive branch for unity and responsibility.

Federalist 78

Essay advocating for lifetime appointments for judges to maintain judicial independence and judicial review.

Letter from Birmingham Jail

Document illustrating the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment supported and motivated social movements like the Civil Rights Movement.