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Marbury v. Madison
Established judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to invalidate unconstitutional laws.
McCulloch v. Maryland
Strengthened federal power over states by ruling Congress can create a national bank.
Schenck v. United States
Established the 'clear and present danger' test for free speech.
Brown v. Board of Education
Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson; declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
Gideon v. Wainwright
Incorporated the right to counsel to the states, requiring states to provide attorneys to defendants.
Engel v. Vitale
Ruled that mandatory school prayer violates the Establishment Clause.
Tinker v. Des Moines
Protected symbolic speech in schools, concluding students do not lose free speech rights.
New York Times v. United States
Affirmed press freedom by ruling against prior restraint on publishing the Pentagon Papers.
Shaw v. Reno
Ruled that racial gerrymandering violates the Equal Protection Clause.
Wisconsin v. Yoder
Protected religious practices against state laws regarding mandatory schooling.
United States v. Lopez
Limited federal use of the Commerce Clause, ruling that the Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded federal power.
McDonald v. Chicago
Incorporated the Second Amendment right to bear arms to the states.
Citizens United v. FEC
Ruled that limiting corporate political spending violates free speech.
Declaration of Independence
Document declaring the American colonies' independence from Britain, authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson.
Articles of Confederation
The first constitution of the United States, creating a weak central government.
The Constitution
The foundational document establishing the framework of the United States government.
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution that protect individual liberties.
Federalist No. 10
An essay by James Madison warning about the dangers of factions.
Baker v. Carr
Established the principle of 'one person, one vote,' ruling that federal courts can intervene in redistricting cases.
Brutus 1
An anti-Federalist paper arguing against the ratification of the Constitution, emphasizing the dangers of a powerful central government and advocating for state sovereignty.
Federalist No. 51
An essay by James Madison explaining the need for checks and balances in government, arguing that each branch should have a will of its own to prevent any one branch from overpowering the others.
Federalist No. 70
An essay by Alexander Hamilton arguing for a single strong executive, stating that a unity in the executive branch is essential for energy in the government and accountability.
Federalist No. 78
An essay by Alexander Hamilton that discusses the role of the judiciary, arguing for the independence of the judiciary and the importance of judicial review in protecting against the misuse of power by the legislative and executive branches.
Letter from Birmingham Jail
A letter written by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963, defending the strategy of nonviolent resistance to racism and outlining the moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.
