AP GOV Supreme Court Cases Units 1-3 and Amendments (majority) and Foundational Documents

Engel v. Vitale

The 1962 Supreme Court decision holding that state officials violated the First Amendment when they wrote a prayer to be recited by New York's schoolchildren.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Held that compelling Amish students to attend school past the 8th grade violating their religious freedom (individual religion outweighs state requirements)

Tinker v. Des Moines ICSD

Established that students retain their constitutional right to symbolic speech at school as long as it does not cause a "substantial disruption" (basically doesn't threaten someone

Schenck v. US

Upheld convictions under the Espionage Act saying that speech creating a "clear and present danger" is not protected

New York Times Co. v. US

Established that blocking speech before it can be published is unconstitutional (prior restraint - government censorship before publication)

McDonald v. Chicago

Incorporated the Second Amendment individual right to keep and bear arms for self defense to the states with Due Process Clause of 14th Amendment Basically states or cities can't just ban guns but rather just enforce strict regulations (self defense is a right but also a privilege none the less)

Gideon v. Wainwright

Incorporated the Sixth Amendment in state criminal cases so people had attorneys to represent them through the 14th amendment Due Process Clause

Roe v. Wade

Held that the constitutional right to privacy under the 14th Amendment protects a woman's fundamental right to choose to have an abortion (overturned in 2022 by Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health organization giving states the power to choose abortion ability)

Brown v. Board of Education

Declared state-mandated segregation in public schools unconstitutional

1st Amendment

Freedom of Speech

2nd Amendment

Right to keep and bear arms

3rd Amendment

No quartering of soldiers

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures and requires warrants based on probable clause

5th Amendment

Protects against self-incrimination and double jeopardy; guarantees due process and eminent domain rights

6th Amendment

Guarantees right to speedy and public trial; impartial jury; legal council and the right to confront witnesses

8th Amendment

Protects against excessive bail

10th Amendment

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution

14th Amendment

Guarantees equal protection under the law and due process; Contains Due Process Clause which protects substantive personal privacy decisions regarding family marriage

15th Amendment

Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race

19th Amendment

Guarantees women the right to vote

26th Amendment

Lowers the voting age to 18 years old from 21 years old

9th Amendment

Citizens entitled to rights not listed in the Constitution

Marbury v. Madison

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

Federalist No. 78

Essays written by Alexander Hamilton advocating for an independent judiciary and explaining the role of the courts in protecting the Constitution.

A Letter from Birmingham Jail

A letter written by Martin Luther King Jr. advocating for civil rights, emphasizing the need for nonviolent protest against unjust laws.

Baker v. Carr

A landmark case that established the principle of "one person, one vote" by ruling that redistricting must be based on population, ensuring that legislative districts are equal in representation.

Shaw v. Reno

A Supreme Court case that held that redistricting based on race must comply with the Equal Protection Clause, ruling against gerrymandering that discriminates against voters.

Article 1 of the Constitution

The section of the U.S. Constitution that establishes the legislative branch of the government, detailing the powers, responsibilities, and structure of Congress.

Article 2 of the Constitution

The section of the U.S. Constitution that establishes the executive branch of the government, outlining the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the President.

Federalist No. 70

Concerns the Executive Branch; Supports one president, single executive; Its fast and decisive, accountable, prevents factional friction

Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson; Identifies Natural Rights as universal; introduces social contract which basically gives the people the power to choose how much and what powers the federal government get; Lists the grievances of the British Government; Allows for revolution if the government ever becomes for tyrannical

Emancipation Proclamation

It declared that all persons held as slaves within rebellious Confederate states "are, and henceforward shall be free"

Articles of Confederation

Limited government; can only Declare War; Make peace; Sign Treaties; Borrow money; Can NOT tax the people; can’t regulate commerce; No enforcer of laws (no executive branch); no court system for disputes; practically impossible to amend the articles

Know Federalist No. 10 and Brutus 1 and Federalist No. 51

McCulloch v. Maryland

• Strengthened the power of the federal government

• Established the idea of implied powers

• Limited states’ ability to interfere with federal actions

United States v. Lopez

• The Supreme Court limited Congress’s Commerce Clause power]

• It ruled that federal government could not use the Commerce Clause to ban guns near schools because the activity was not sufficiently connected to interstate commerce

• Reinforced the idea that states have powers reserved to them under the Constitution