SCOTUS REVIEW

Equal Protection Clause

Requires states to give all citizens the same protection of the laws.

Due Process Clause

Prohibits states from depriving life, liberty, or property without due process.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States must honor legal judgments of other states.

Supremacy Clause

Gives the federal government precedence over conflicting state laws.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Grants Congress implied powers to carry out enumerated powers.

Commerce Clause

Gives the national government the power to regulate interstate trade.

Federalist 10

Argued for a national government that decreases the negative effects of factions.

Marbury v. Madison

Established the Supreme Court's power of judicial review.

Federalist 51

Supported the Constitution's structure of checks and balances.

Brutus 1

Attacked the idea of a strong central government that might violate people's rights.

United States Constitution

Created a federal system of government with separation of powers.

Declaration of Independence

Laid out the idea of natural rights and many violations of the social contract.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Supported the use of the Necessary and Proper Clause and Supremacy Clause.

Articles of Confederation

Created a decentralized government with sovereign states.

Creative Federalism

Refers to the evolving and flexible relationship between the national and state governments.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both federal and state governments.

Enumerated Powers

Explicitly given in the Constitution.

Exclusive Powers

Held by only one level of government.

Reserved Powers

Powers not delegated to the federal government, given to the states.

Implied Powers

Built upon written powers through the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Equal Protection Clause

Requires states to give all citizens the same protection of the laws.

Due Process Clause

Prohibits states from depriving life, liberty, or property without due process.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States must honor legal judgments of other states.

Supremacy Clause

Gives the federal government precedence over conflicting state laws.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Grants Congress implied powers to carry out enumerated powers.

Commerce Clause

Gives the national government the power to regulate interstate trade.

Federalist 10

Argued for a national government that decreases the negative effects of factions.

Marbury v. Madison

Facts: A dispute over judicial appointments after a change in administration.

Holding: Established judicial review, allowing courts to invalidate unconstitutional acts.

Constitutional Issue: Can the Court strike down laws as unconstitutional?

Federalist 51

Supported the Constitution's structure of checks and balances.

Brutus 1

Attacked the idea of a strong central government that might violate people's rights.

United States Constitution

Created a federal system of government with separation of powers.

Declaration of Independence

Laid out the idea of natural rights and many violations of the social contract.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Facts: A state tried to tax a federally chartered bank.

Holding: Federal law is supreme; Congress has implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Constitutional Issue: Does Congress have implied powers, and can states tax federal entities?

Articles of Confederation

Created a decentralized government with sovereign states.

Creative Federalism

Refers to the evolving and flexible relationship between the national and state governments.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both federal and state governments.

Enumerated Powers

Explicitly given in the Constitution.

Exclusive Powers

Held by only one level of government.

Reserved Powers

Powers not delegated to the federal government, given to the states.

Implied Powers

Built upon written powers through the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Citizens United v. FEC

Facts: A nonprofit sought to air a film critical of a candidate close to an election.

Holding: Political spending is protected speech under the First Amendment.

Constitutional Issue: Can the government limit political spending by corporations and unions?

United States v. Lopez

Facts: A student was charged under a federal law banning guns in school zones.

Holding: The law was unconstitutional; gun possession in schools is not interstate commerce.

Constitutional Issue: Did Congress exceed its Commerce Clause authority?

Shaw v. Reno

Facts: Voters challenged oddly shaped districts created to increase minority representation.

Holding: Race-based redistricting is subject to strict scrutiny and may violate Equal Protection.

Constitutional Issue: Can race be the predominant factor in drawing districts under Equal Protection?

Baker v. Carr

Facts: Voters challenged legislative districts that hadn’t been redrawn in decades.

Holding: ‐One person, one vote‑ principle applies, and courts can review redistricting.

Constitutional Issue: Do federal courts have jurisdiction over legislative apportionment under Equal Protection?