AP Government court cases, amendments, documents

📘 FOUNDATIONAL DOCUMENTS

Federalist No. 10

Factions are inevitable; large republic limits their impact

Federalist No. 51

Checks & balances prevent any branch from gaining too much power

Federalist No. 70

Strong executive ensures quick and effective leadership

Federalist No. 78

Courts have judicial review but are the weakest branch

Brutus No. 1

Constitution creates a government that is too powerful

📜 AMENDMENTS

1st Amendment

Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, petition

2nd Amendment

Right to bear arms

5th Amendment

Due process + no self-incrimination

6th Amendment

Right to lawyer + fair, speedy trial

10th Amendment

Powers not given to federal gov go to states

14th Amendment

Equal protection + applies rights to states

⚖️ REQUIRED SUPREME COURT CASES

McCulloch v. Maryland

Congress has implied powers and states cannot tax federal institutions (Necessary & Proper + Supremacy, no amendment)

United States v. Lopez

Congress cannot use Commerce Clause to regulate non-economic activity like guns in schools (Commerce Clause, 10th Amendment)

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

Political spending by corporations is protected speech (Free Speech, 1st Amendment)

Baker v. Carr

Federal courts can hear redistricting cases under equal protection (Equal Protection Clause, 14th Amendment)

Shaw v. Reno

Racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional even if meant to help minorities (Equal Protection Clause, 14th Amendment)

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District

Students keep free speech rights unless it disrupts school (Free Speech, 1st Amendment)

New York Times Co. v. United States

Government cannot censor press before publication (prior restraint) (Free Press, 1st Amendment)

Schenck v. United States

Speech can be limited if it creates clear and present danger (Free Speech, 1st Amendment)

Engel v. Vitale

School-sponsored prayer violates separation of church and state (Establishment Clause, 1st Amendment)

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Religious freedom can outweigh compulsory education laws (Free Exercise Clause, 1st Amendment)

Gideon v. Wainwright

States must provide lawyers to defendants who cannot afford one (Right to counsel, 6th Amendment)

Miranda v. Arizona

Police must inform suspects of their rights before questioning (Self-incrimination, 5th Amendment)

Brown v. Board of Education

Segregation in public schools is unconstitutional (Equal Protection Clause, 14th Amendment)

Roe v. Wade

Right to privacy protects abortion (later overturned but still tested concept) (Due Process, 14th Amendment)

McDonald v. Chicago

2nd Amendment applies to states through incorporation (Due Process Clause, 14th Amendment + 2nd Amendment)