AP GOV Required Cases_Docs.docx

1. Marbury v. Madison (1803)

  • 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:
    1. Declared the American colonies' independence from Britain.
    2. Argued that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed.
    3. Listed grievances against King George III to justify separation.
  • Vocabulary:
    1. Unalienable Rights: Rights inherent to all people, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
    2. Tyranny: Oppressive rule by a government or ruler.
  • Quotes:
    1. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
    2. "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:
    1. Established the first government of the U.S. with a weak central authority.
    2. Gave most powers to the states and left Congress unable to tax or regulate commerce.
    3. Demonstrated the need for a stronger federal government, leading to the Constitution.
  • Vocabulary:
    1. Confederation: A loose alliance of states with limited central power.
    2. Sovereignty: Supreme authority, often retained by states.
  • Quotes:
    1. "Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence."
    2. "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:
    1. Established the structure of the federal government (Executive, Legislative, Judicial branches).
    2. Granted powers such as taxation, regulating commerce, and a national defense.
    3. Included mechanisms like checks and balances to prevent tyranny.
  • Vocabulary:
    1. Checks and Balances: System ensuring no branch gains too much power.
    2. Federalism: Division of power between national and state governments.
  • Quotes:
    1. "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union..."
    2. "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:
    1. First ten amendments to the Constitution, protecting individual freedoms.
    2. Includes freedom of speech, religion, press, and the right to bear arms.
    3. Limits government power and safeguards civil liberties.
  • Vocabulary:
    1. Amendment: A formal change or addition to the Constitution.
    2. Due Process: Fair treatment through the normal judicial system.
  • Quotes:
    1. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."
    2. "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:
    1. Warned against the dangers of factions.
    2. Argued that a large republic would better control factions and protect minority rights.
    3. Advocated for a representative democracy over a direct democracy.
  • Vocabulary:
    1. Faction: A group with interests that might conflict with the public good.
    2. Republic: A government where citizens elect representatives.
  • Quotes:
    1. "Liberty is to faction what air is to fire."
    2. "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:
    1. Opposed the Constitution, fearing a powerful central government.
    2. Believed a large republic would lead to tyranny.
    3. Advocated for stronger state governments.
  • Vocabulary:
    1. Anti-Federalist: Opponents of a strong federal government.
    2. Despotism: Absolute power leading to oppression.
  • Quotes:
    1. "The necessary and proper clause is a blank check to Congress."
    2. "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:
    1. Advocated for separation of powers to prevent tyranny.
    2. Explained the system of checks and balances.
    3. Argued for the necessity of a strong but limited government.
  • Vocabulary:
    1. Separation of Powers: Dividing government into branches.
    2. Ambition: Desire for power; checked by the system.
  • Quotes:
    1. "Ambition must be made to counteract ambition."
    2. "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:
    1. Advocated for a strong, energetic executive (president).
    2. Argued that unity in the executive ensures accountability and efficiency.
    3. Warned against a weak or divided executive.
  • Vocabulary:
    1. Executive Unity: Having a single leader for decisive action.
    2. Energy: The president’s capacity to act effectively.
  • Quotes:
    1. "Energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of good government."
    2. "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:
    1. Advocated for an independent judiciary.
    2. Stressed the importance of judicial review.
    3. Described the judiciary as the "least dangerous" branch.
  • Vocabulary:
    1. Judicial Review: Power to declare laws unconstitutional.
    2. Tenure: Lifetime appointments for judges to ensure independence.
  • Quotes:
    1. "The judiciary... will always be the least dangerous to the political rights of the Constitution."
    2. "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:
    1. Defended nonviolent resistance to racial segregation.
    2. Criticized white moderates for delaying justice.
    3. Emphasized the moral obligation to break unjust laws.
  • Vocabulary:
    1. Civil Disobedience: Peaceful protest against unjust laws.
    2. Justice: The pursuit of fairness and equality.
  • Quotes:
    1. "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
    2. "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.