Foundational Documents (1)
the document that was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and that announced the separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
A document that embodies the fundamental laws, principles and structure of the U.S. government.
What is the Constitution of the United States?
This case establishes the Supreme Court's power of Judicial Review
What is Marbury v. Madison?
The 1962 Supreme Court decision holding that state officials violated the First Amendment when they wrote a prayer to be recited by New York's schoolchildren.
What is Engel v. Vitale?
(1973) legalized abortion on the basis of a woman's right to privacy
What is Roe v. Wade?
the first written constitution of the United States. Under these articles, the states remained sovereign and independent, with Congress serving as the last resort on appeal of disputes.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
Alexander Hamilton argued the need for an executive branch and for one main person (the president) to preside over the branch.
What is Federalist No. 70?
Maryland was trying to tax the national bank and Supreme Court ruled that federal law was stronger than the state law
What is McCulloch v. Maryland?
A person who cannot afford an attorney may have one appointed by the government
What is Gideon v. Wainwright?
NO racial gerrymandering; race cannot be the sole or predominant factor in redrawing legislative boundaries; majority-minority districts.
What is Shaw v. Reno?
Written by James Madison, states that one of the strongest arguments in favor of the Constitution is the fact that it establishes a government capable of controlling the violence and damage caused by factions.
What is Federalist No. 10?
The potential power of judicial review is explained. It argues that the federal courts have the duty to determine whether acts of Congress are constitutional and to follow the Constitution when there is inconsistency.
What is Federalist No. 78?
A 1919 decision upholding the conviction of a socialist who had urged young men to resist the draft during World War I. Justice Holmes declared that government can limit speech if the speech provokes a "clear and present danger" of substantive evils.
What is Schenck v. United States?
Students in an Iowa school were suspended for wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam war. Ruled that this suspension was unconstitutional, and that public school students do not "shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse door."
What is Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)?
1995 - The Commerce Clause of the Constitution does not give Congress the power to prohibit mere possession of a gun near a school, because gun possession by itself is not an economic activity that affects interstate commerce even indirectly.
What is United States v. Lopez?
What is Brutus No. 1?
The most prominent themes in this letter are justice, Christianity, civil disobedience, and freedom. King argues that denying justice to one person threatens justice for everyone.
What are Letters from a Birmingham Jail?
1954 - The Supreme Court overruled Plessy v. Ferguson, declared that racially segregated facilities are inherently unequal and ordered all public schools desegregated.
What is Brown v. Board of Education?
The President argues that the publication of the Pentagon Papers is in violation of executive privilege. Result: The barring of the publication of these papers is in violation of the 1st A. Publication does not imperial the public.
What is New York Times v. US?
2010, States can not ban guns because of the right to bear arms and equal protection of the law.
What is McDonald v. Chicago?
This document highlights the theory and/or practice of checks and balances between the three branches of government.
What is Federalist No. 51?
case that est. one man one vote. this decision created guidelines for drawing up congressional districts and guaranteed a more equitable system of representation to the citizens of each state
What is Baker v. Carr?
Amish children do not have to go to school until they are 16---they may stop after the 8th grade
What is Wisconsin v. Yoder?
A 2010 landmark Supreme Court case that ruled that individuals, corporations, and unions could donate unlimited amounts of money to groups that make independent political expenditures.
What is Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission?