Category 1
What is the The Declaration of Independence and when was it signed?
The official document signed by the Continental Congress ruling independence by separating the first American states from British rule. Signed July 4, 1776.
Marbury v. Madison
The case that established judicial rule in the federal courts.
What is The Articles of Confederation?
The first official constitutional document that supported strong state governments over a strong federal government, giving most power to the states.
McCulloch v. Maryland
The case that established the range of Congress's legislative power by issuing Maryland taxing governmental instruments, such as the Second Bank of the United states, unconstitutional.
What is The Constitution of the United States?
The official constitution of the states that includes 27 amendments that protects the freedom and rights of American citizens, and it holds authority over all other documents. The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America.
Brown v. Board of Education
The case which ruled that state laws that required racial segregation in public schools, unconstitutional.
Federalist No. 10
The document written by James Madison addressing the dangers of factions and self-interests clashing.
Gideon v. Wainwright
The case that concluded states must guarantee criminals in criminal cases the right to an attorney/legal counsel for those defendants who cannot afford their own.
Federalist 51
The document written by James Madison that addresses the power of checks and balances in government and how it must be incorporated into the U.S. Federal government with means of separation of powers.
Tinker v. Des Moines
The case that established the First Amendment rights of students in public schools.
Federalism No. 70
Roe v. Wade
The case which ruled that a woman has a right to choose to have an abortion due to her right to privacy.
Federalist No. 78
The document written by Alexander Hamilton which discussed the power of judicial review.
United States v. Lopez
The case that ruled the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 unconstitutional. This case was is when the Court declared that Congress had overstepped its power under the Commerce clause.
Brutus No. 1
The document written by an anti-federalist who discussed that federal power would not be beneficial to the country as well as that the Constitution gives a lot of power to the federal government than it does to the states.
Baker v. Carr
The case ruled that redistricting cases should be reviewed and that it is unconstitutional for unequal representation of citizens in legislative districts.
Letter from Birmingham Jail
The letter written by Martin Luther King Jr. which addressed hypocrisy and racial injustice in response to a group of white clergy men who had criticized the Birmingham non-violent protest.
Engel v. Vitale
The case in which it was ruled that state officials cannot implement official school prayers because it is deemed unconstitutional for violating the First Amendment's establishment clause.
New York Times v. U.S.
The case that established forms of news that could expose government issues cannot be censored or restricted due to the right of freedom of press.
Schenck v. U.S.
The case that ruled that some forms of speech may not be protected by the First Amendment's freedom of speech if what was spoken had been seen as "clear and present danger".
McDonald v. Chicago
This case ruled that citizens have the right to keep and bear arms which is protecting by the Second Amendment, this protection is held even in state or local governments.
Shaw v. Reno
This case ruled that racial gerrymandering must be placed to a standard of strict scrutiny.
Wisconsin v. Yoder
This case established that a parent's right to freedom of religion outweighed a state's mandatory rules in educating their children.
Citizens United v. FEC
This case ruled that restricting independent expenditures was unconstitutional since it violated the First Amendment.