Background: William Marbury was appointed Justice of the Peace by President Adams, but his commission was not delivered by Secretary of State Madison under the new Jefferson administration.
Question: Does Marbury have a right to his commission, and can the Supreme Court issue a writ of mandamus?
Vote, Ruling, and Rationale: The Court (unanimous) ruled that Marbury had a right to his commission but the Court could not issue the writ because the Judiciary Act of 1789 conflicted with the Constitution.
Significance: Established judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to invalidate unconstitutional laws.
Clause: Supremacy Clause - Constitution is the highest law.
Illustration Idea: A gavel with the Constitution labeled "Judicial Review."
2. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Background: Maryland imposed a tax on the Second Bank of the United States. Bank cashier McCulloch refused to pay the tax.
Question: Can Congress create a national bank, and can Maryland tax it?
Vote, Ruling, and Rationale: The Court (unanimous) ruled that Congress can create a bank under the Necessary and Proper Clause, and states cannot tax federal institutions.
Significance: Strengthened federal power over states.
Clause: Necessary and Proper Clause and Supremacy Clause.
Illustration Idea: A federal building with "Necessary and Proper" written on it.
3. Schenck v. United States (1919)
Background: Charles Schenck distributed anti-draft pamphlets during WWI, violating the Espionage Act.
Question: Does the Espionage Act violate the First Amendment's free speech?
Vote, Ruling, and Rationale: Unanimous decision upheld Schenck's conviction; speech creating a "clear and present danger" is not protected.
Significance: Established the "clear and present danger" test for free speech.
Clause: First Amendment - Free Speech.
Illustration Idea: A pamphlet with "Danger" stamped on it.
4. Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
Background: African American students were denied admission to public schools based on race, challenging "separate but equal" policies.
Question: Does segregation in public schools violate the Equal Protection Clause?
Vote, Ruling, and Rationale: Unanimous ruling that segregation is inherently unequal and unconstitutional.
Significance: Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson; ended de jure segregation.
Clause: Equal Protection Clause (14th Amendment).
Illustration Idea: A school with "Equal Education for All."
5. Baker v. Carr (1962)
Background: Charles Baker argued that Tennessee's legislative districts were outdated and violated "one person, one vote."
Question: Can federal courts intervene in state districting issues?
Vote, Ruling, and Rationale: 6–2 ruling that federal courts can review redistricting cases.
Significance: Allowed judicial review of redistricting for equal representation.
Clause: Equal Protection Clause (14th Amendment).
Illustration Idea: A map with districts and scales of justice.
6. Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Background: A New York school mandated a daily prayer, which some argued violated the Constitution.
Question: Does school-led prayer violate the Establishment Clause?
Vote, Ruling, and Rationale: 6–1 ruling that school prayer is unconstitutional.
Significance: Strengthened separation of church and state.
Clause: Establishment Clause (First Amendment).
Illustration Idea: A classroom with a "No Prayer Allowed" sign.
7. Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
Background: Clarence Gideon was denied a court-appointed lawyer in a felony case.
Question: Does the Sixth Amendment's right to counsel apply to states?
Vote, Ruling, and Rationale: Unanimous decision that states must provide attorneys to defendants who cannot afford one.
Significance: Incorporated the right to counsel to the states.
Clause: Sixth Amendment - Right to Counsel.
Illustration Idea: A courtroom with "Free Counsel" written.
8. Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
Background: Students were suspended for wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War.
Question: Does banning armbands violate free speech?
Vote, Ruling, and Rationale: 7–2 ruling that students do not lose free speech rights at school unless it disrupts education.
Significance: Protected symbolic speech in schools.
Clause: First Amendment - Free Speech.
Illustration Idea: Students wearing black armbands.
9. New York Times v. United States (1971)
Background: The government tried to prevent the New York Times from publishing the Pentagon Papers.
Question: Does prior restraint violate the First Amendment?
Vote, Ruling, and Rationale: 6–3 ruling against prior restraint, protecting press freedom.
Significance: Affirmed strong protection of press freedom.
Clause: First Amendment - Free Press.
Illustration Idea: A newspaper with "Press Freedom."
10. Shaw v. Reno (1993)
Background: North Carolina created a racially gerrymandered district.
Question: Does racial gerrymandering violate the Equal Protection Clause?
Vote, Ruling, and Rationale: 5–4 ruling that racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional.
Significance: Limited race-based redistricting.
Clause: Equal Protection Clause (14th Amendment).
Illustration Idea: A district map with racial lines crossed out.
11. Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
Background: Amish families objected to mandatory high school attendance past 8th grade.
Question: Does mandatory schooling violate religious freedom?
Vote, Ruling, and Rationale: Unanimous decision that free exercise of religion outweighed the state's interest in schooling.
Significance: Protected religious practices against some state laws.
Clause: Free Exercise Clause (First Amendment).
Illustration Idea: An Amish family next to a school.
12. United States v. Lopez (1995)
Background: A student brought a gun to school, violating the Gun-Free School Zones Act.
Question: Did Congress overreach its Commerce Clause authority?
Vote, Ruling, and Rationale: 5–4 ruling that the law exceeded federal powers.
Significance: Limited federal use of the Commerce Clause.
Clause: Commerce Clause.
Illustration Idea: A "No Guns Allowed" sign near a school.
13. McDonald v. Chicago (2010)
Background: Chicago's handgun ban was challenged as violating the Second Amendment.
Question: Does the Second Amendment apply to states?
Vote, Ruling, and Rationale: 5–4 ruling that the right to bear arms is incorporated to states.
Significance: Strengthened individual gun rights.
Clause: Second Amendment.
Illustration Idea: A handgun with the Constitution.
14. Citizens United v. FEC (2010)
Background: The FEC restricted Citizens United from airing a political documentary during an election season.
Question: Does limiting corporate political spending violate free speech?
Vote, Ruling, and Rationale: 5–4 ruling that corporations have free speech rights, allowing unlimited political spending.
Significance: Increased influence of money in politics.
Clause: First Amendment - Free Speech.
Illustration Idea: A dollar sign and the Constitution.
1. Declaration of Independence (1776)
Author: Thomas Jefferson (primary author), with input from John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and others.
Key Points:
Declared the American colonies' independence from Britain.
Argued that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed.
Listed grievances against King George III to justify separation.
Vocabulary:
Unalienable Rights: Rights inherent to all people, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Tyranny: Oppressive rule by a government or ruler.
Quotes:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
"Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
Illustration Idea: The Liberty Bell or the phrase "Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness."
2. Articles of Confederation (1781)
Author: Second Continental Congress.
Key Points:
Established the first government of the U.S. with a weak central authority.
Gave most powers to the states and left Congress unable to tax or regulate commerce.
Demonstrated the need for a stronger federal government, leading to the Constitution.
Vocabulary:
Confederation: A loose alliance of states with limited central power.
Sovereignty: Supreme authority, often retained by states.
Quotes:
"Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence."
"The United States in Congress assembled shall have authority to ... regulate the alloy and value of coin."
Illustration Idea: A fragmented map of the original 13 states.
3. The Constitution (1787)
Author: James Madison (primary contributor) and the Constitutional Convention.
Key Points:
Established the structure of the federal government (Executive, Legislative, Judicial branches).
Granted powers such as taxation, regulating commerce, and a national defense.
Included mechanisms like checks and balances to prevent tyranny.
Vocabulary:
Checks and Balances: System ensuring no branch gains too much power.
Federalism: Division of power between national and state governments.
Quotes:
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union..."
"The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises."
Illustration Idea: An eagle with the three branches of government.
4. Bill of Rights (1791)
Author: James Madison.
Key Points:
First ten amendments to the Constitution, protecting individual freedoms.
Includes freedom of speech, religion, press, and the right to bear arms.
Limits government power and safeguards civil liberties.
Vocabulary:
Amendment: A formal change or addition to the Constitution.
Due Process: Fair treatment through the normal judicial system.
Quotes:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."
"The right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
Illustration Idea: The Constitution with a list of the first ten amendments.
5. Federalist No. 10 (1787)
Author: James Madison.
Key Points:
Warned against the dangers of factions.
Argued that a large republic would better control factions and protect minority rights.
Advocated for a representative democracy over a direct democracy.
Vocabulary:
Faction: A group with interests that might conflict with the public good.
Republic: A government where citizens elect representatives.
Quotes:
"Liberty is to faction what air is to fire."
"A republic, by which I mean a government in which the scheme of representation takes place..."
Illustration Idea: A diverse crowd with "Republic" above them.
6. Brutus 1 (1787)
Author: Anti-Federalists (likely Robert Yates).
Key Points:
Opposed the Constitution, fearing a powerful central government.
Believed a large republic would lead to tyranny.
Advocated for stronger state governments.
Vocabulary:
Anti-Federalist: Opponents of a strong federal government.
Despotism: Absolute power leading to oppression.
Quotes:
"The necessary and proper clause is a blank check to Congress."
"In a large republic, the public good is sacrificed to a thousand views."
Illustration Idea: A map with states asserting independence.
7. Federalist No. 51 (1788)
Author: James Madison.
Key Points:
Advocated for separation of powers to prevent tyranny.
Explained the system of checks and balances.
Argued for the necessity of a strong but limited government.
Vocabulary:
Separation of Powers: Dividing government into branches.
Ambition: Desire for power; checked by the system.
Quotes:
"Ambition must be made to counteract ambition."
"If men were angels, no government would be necessary."
Illustration Idea: Three columns representing the branches of government.
8. Federalist No. 70 (1788)
Author: Alexander Hamilton.
Key Points:
Advocated for a strong, energetic executive (president).
Argued that unity in the executive ensures accountability and efficiency.
Warned against a weak or divided executive.
Vocabulary:
Executive Unity: Having a single leader for decisive action.
Energy: The president’s capacity to act effectively.
Quotes:
"Energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of good government."
"A feeble executive implies a feeble execution of the government."
Illustration Idea: A strong, solitary figure representing the president.
9. Federalist No. 78 (1788)
Author: Alexander Hamilton.
Key Points:
Advocated for an independent judiciary.
Stressed the importance of judicial review.
Described the judiciary as the "least dangerous" branch.
Vocabulary:
Judicial Review: Power to declare laws unconstitutional.
Tenure: Lifetime appointments for judges to ensure independence.
Quotes:
"The judiciary... will always be the least dangerous to the political rights of the Constitution."
"No legislative act... contrary to the Constitution can be valid."
Illustration Idea: A judge holding scales of justice.
10. Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963)
Author: Martin Luther King Jr.
Key Points:
Defended nonviolent resistance to racial segregation.
Criticized white moderates for delaying justice.
Emphasized the moral obligation to break unjust laws.
Vocabulary:
Civil Disobedience: Peaceful protest against unjust laws.
Justice: The pursuit of fairness and equality.
Quotes:
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
"Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed."
Illustration Idea: Martin Luther King Jr. writing in jail with protest signs in the background.