AP Gov Key SCOTUS Cases

Here’s a brief overview of each case along with a mnemonic or trick to help you remember it:

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### A. Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

- Summary: Declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). Established that "separate but equal" is inherently unequal.

- Mnemonic: Brown broke barriers—Brown broke the racial barriers in schools.

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### B. Marbury v. Madison (1803)

- Summary: Established judicial review, empowering the Supreme Court to strike down laws that violate the Constitution.

- Mnemonic: Marbury made judicial might—Marbury gave the courts their ultimate power.

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### C. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

- Summary: Confirmed the supremacy of federal law over state law and upheld the constitutionality of the national bank.

- Mnemonic: Maryland can’t mess with McCulloch—states can’t interfere with federal authority.

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### D. Engel v. Vitale (1962)

- Summary: Ruled that mandatory prayer in public schools violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

- Mnemonic: Engel ended enforced prayer—Engel ended mandatory prayers in schools.

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### E. Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

- Summary: Guaranteed the right to legal counsel for defendants in criminal cases, even if they cannot afford an attorney.

- Mnemonic: Gideon got a guarantee—Gideon guaranteed the right to a lawyer.

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### F. Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)

- Summary: Affirmed students’ right to free speech in schools, as long as it doesn’t disrupt the educational environment.

- Mnemonic: Tinker’s teens took their rights—students’ rights were protected by Tinker.

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### G. New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)

- Summary: Strengthened freedom of the press by ruling against prior restraint in the Pentagon Papers case.

- Mnemonic: NYT needed no muzzle—the press can’t be silenced.

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### H. Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

- Summary: Held that requiring Amish children to attend school past 8th grade violates their religious freedoms.

- Mnemonic: Yoder yearns for religious rights—protected Amish religious beliefs.

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### I. Roe v. Wade (1973)

- Summary: Legalized abortion nationwide, recognizing a woman’s right to privacy under the Constitution.

- Mnemonic: Roe’s right to choose—Roe established reproductive rights.

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### J. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

- Summary: Allowed unlimited corporate and union spending in elections under the First Amendment.

- Mnemonic: Citizens funded campaigns freely—Citizens United expanded political spending rights.

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### K. McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

- Summary: Incorporated the Second Amendment right to bear arms to the states, limiting gun control laws.

- Mnemonic: McDonald defends guns—McDonald reinforced the right to bear arms.

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