Required SCOTUS Cases | AP U.S. Government and Politics

Marbury v. Madison

Established the principle of judicial review

McCulloch v. Maryland

The idea that the federal government has implied powers, meaning Congress can enact laws not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution if they are necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers, such as creating a national bank

Schenck v. United States

The limitation of free speech to protect the country, for an example during a time of war

Brown v. Board of Education

Ruled segregation in public schools as unconstitutional and overturned the “separate but equal” clause

Baker v. Carr

Established federal courts’ right to review state redirecting plans; one man = one vote

Engel v. Vitale

Ruled an official school prayer as unconstitutional due to violation of the first amendment, specifically the establishment clause.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Ruled that the sixth amendment of the Constitution requires U.S. states to provide attorneys to criminal defendants who are unable to afford their own; due process

Tinker v. Des Moines

Ruled that students wearing armbands in school as a form of protest during the Vietnam War was constitutional, as they were exercising their right to free speech.

New York Times Co. v. United States

Ruled that the Nixon administration's attempt to prevent the New York Times from publishing the classified "Pentagon Papers" was a violation of the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of the press

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Ruled that Wisconsin's compulsory school attendance law, which required children to attend school until age 16, violated the free exercise clause of the First Amendment for Amish parents

Shaw v. Reno

Established that redistricting plans based primarily on race are subject to strict scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This means that such plans must be narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling government interest and be the least restrictive means of doing so. The case also acknowledged that race can be considered in redistricting, particularly to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, but race cannot be the sole or predominant factor in drawing district lines

United States v. Lopez

Ruled that the federal government's Gun-Free School Zones Act, which made it illegal to possess a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school, was unconstitutional; reviewed the extent of the Commerce Clause

Citizens United v. FEC

ruled that laws restricting the political spending of corporations and unions are unconstitutional, violating the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech. This landmark ruling allowed corporations and unions to make unlimited independent expenditures in political campaigns, as long as they don't coordinate directly with a candidate

McDonald v. Chicago

Ruled that the Second Amendment right to bear arms applies to state and local governments, not just the federal government. Demonstration of Selective Incorporation.