1800's-1960's
Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams in the 1800 presidential election. Before Jefferson took office on March 4, 1801, Adams and Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1801, which created new courts, added judges, and gave the president more control over appointment of judges.
Marbury v. Madison
Charles W. Baker and other Tennessee citizens alleged that a 1901 law designed to apportion the seats for the state's General Assembly was virtually ignored.
Baker v. Carr
In 1970, Jane Roe (a fictional name used in court documents to protect the plaintiff’s identity) filed a lawsuit against Henry Wade, the district attorney of Dallas County, Texas, where she resided, challenging a Texas law making abortion illegal except by a doctor’s orders to save a woman’s life.
Roe v. Wade
pronouncement adopted by the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 4, 1776.
The Declaration of Independence
argued that federal power was bad and that the Constitution gives too much power to the federal government.
Brutus No. 1
In 1816, Congress chartered The Second Bank of the United States. In 1818, the state of Maryland passed legislation to impose taxes on the bank. James W. McCulloch, the cashier of the Baltimore branch of the bank, refused to pay the tax.
McCulloch v. Maryland
Clarence Earl Gideon was charged in Florida state court with felony breaking and entering. When he appeared in court without a lawyer, Gideon requested that the court appoint one for him.
Gideon v. Wainwright
In 1970, Jane Roe (a fictional name used in court documents to protect the plaintiff’s identity) filed a lawsuit against Henry Wade, the district attorney of Dallas County, Texas, where she resided, challenging a Texas law making abortion illegal except by a doctor’s orders to save a woman’s life.
Shaw v. Reno
served as its first constitution
The Articles of Confederation
is among the most highly regarded of all American political writings.
Federalist Paper No. 10
During World War I, socialists Charles Schenck and Elizabeth Baer distributed leaflets declaring that the draft violated the Thirteenth Amendment prohibition against involuntary servitude.
Schenck v. the United States
In December 1965, a group of students in Des Moines held a meeting in the home of 16-year-old Christopher Eckhardt to plan a public showing of their support for a truce in the Vietnam war.
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District
On August 31, 1961, Internal Revenue Agent Roger S. Davis visited Clauson’s Inn, located in North Falmouth, Massachusetts, as part of an investigation into possible tax evasion.
United States v. Lopez
is the supreme law of the United States of America.
The Constitution
addresses means by which appropriate checks and balances can be created in government and also advocates a separation of powers within the national government.
Federalist Paper No. 51
This case was the consolidation of cases arising in Kansas, South Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, and Washington D.C. relating to the segregation of public schools on the basis of race.
Brown v. Board of Education
In what became known as the "Pentagon Papers Case," the Nixon Administration attempted to prevent the New York Times and Washington Post from publishing materials belonging to a classified Defense Department study regarding the history of United States activities in Vietnam.
New York Times Co. v. United States
Several suits were filed against Chicago and Oak Park in Illinois challenging their gun bans after the Supreme Court issued its opinion in District of Columbia v. Heller.
McDonald v. Chicago
Martin Luther King Jr. to respond to a group of white clergy who had criticized his use of nonviolent civil disobedience
Letter from a Birmingham Jail
argues in favor of the unitary executive created by Article II of the United States Constitution.
Federalist Paper No. 70
The New York State Board of Regents authorized a short, voluntary prayer for recitation at the start of each school day.
Engel v. Vitale
Jonas Yoder and Wallace Miller, both members of the Old Order Amish religion, and Adin Yutzy, a member of the Conservative Amish Mennonite Church, were prosecuted under a Wisconsin law that required all children to attend public schools until age 16.
Wisconsin v. Yoder
In an attempt to regulate "big money" campaign contributions, the BCRA applies a variety of restrictions to "electioneering communications." Section 203 of the BCRA prevents corporations or labor unions from funding such communication from their general treasuries.
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission
discusses the power of judicial review.
Federalist Paper No. 78