SCOTUS CASES: UNIT 1,4,5
Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy
1. Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Key Issue: Established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.
Background: William Marbury sued Secretary of State James Madison for not delivering his commission. Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional.
Significance: Strengthened the judicial branch by giving courts the power to check the other branches of government.
2. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Key Issue: Confirmed the supremacy of federal over state laws and upheld the implied powers of Congress.
Background: Maryland attempted to tax the Second Bank of the United States. The Court ruled that states could not tax federal institutions.
Significance: Interpreted the Necessary and Proper Clause to allow Congress to create a national bank.
3. United States v. Lopez (1995)
Key Issue: Limited Congress’s power under the Commerce Clause.
Background: Alfonso Lopez was charged under the Gun-Free School Zones Act for carrying a weapon on school grounds. The Court ruled the Act exceeded Congress’s authority.
Significance: Reinforced the principle of federalism by restricting the federal government’s ability to regulate state matters.
Unit 4: American Political Ideologies and Beliefs
4. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)
Key Issue: Addressed campaign finance and corporate political spending under the First Amendment.
Background: Citizens United challenged restrictions on corporate funding for political broadcasts. The Court ruled that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts cannot be limited.
Significance: Expanded First Amendment protections to corporate and union spending in elections, leading to the rise of Super PACs.
5. Buckley v. Valeo (1976)
Key Issue: Examined limits on campaign contributions and expenditures.
Background: The Court ruled that while Congress can set limits on individual contributions to candidates, it cannot restrict a candidate’s personal spending on their campaign.
Significance: Differentiated between contributions (can be limited) and expenditures (cannot be limited) based on First Amendment grounds.
Unit 5: Political Participation
6. Baker v. Carr (1962)
Key Issue: Established the principle of "one person, one vote" and enabled federal courts to intervene in redistricting cases.
Background: Charles Baker argued that Tennessee's apportionment ignored population shifts. The Court ruled that redistricting issues are justiciable under the Equal Protection Clause.
Significance: Led to more equitable representation in legislative districts.
7. Shaw v. Reno (1993)
Key Issue: Addressed racial gerrymandering under the Equal Protection Clause.
Background: North Carolina’s congressional map was challenged for creating bizarrely shaped districts to ensure minority representation. The Court ruled that race cannot be the predominant factor in drawing districts.
Significance: Clarified the limits of race-based districting and emphasized equal representation.
8. Bush v. Gore (2000)
Key Issue: Resolved the 2000 presidential election through a controversial Equal Protection Clause ruling.
Background: The Court halted Florida's recount due to inconsistent standards in counting votes, effectively awarding the presidency to George W. Bush.
Significance: Highlighted the role of the judiciary in electoral processes and sparked debate over federalism and judicial intervention.