Foundational Docs
This 1776 document lists grievances against a king and argues government gets power from the consent of the governed.
Declaration of Independence
This Federalist paper argues that a large republic helps control factions.
Federalist #10
This 1803 case established the power of judicial review.
Marbury v. Madison
This case established the “clear and present danger” test for speech during wartime (this test is no longer precedent)
Schenck v. United States
This case declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
Brown v. Board of Education
This first U.S. governing framework created a weak national government with no power to tax.
Articles of Confederation
This Anti-Federalist writing warned that the Constitution created a government too powerful for liberty.
Brutus #1
This case about the Bank of the United States upheld Congress’s implied powers and the supremacy of federal law over states.
McCulloch v. Maryland
This case protected student symbolic speech in public schools.
Tinker v. Des Moines
This case established “one person, one vote” in legislative districts and that districts should have similar number of people.
Baker v. Carr
This document establishes separation of powers and federalism as core principles of government.
U.S. Constitution
This Federalist essay explains how checks and balances control abuses of power.
Federalist #51
This case limited Congress’s commerce clause power by striking down a gun law near schools.
United States v. Lopez
This case declared the government could not issue prior restraint on the news media when publishing classified documents.
New York Times v. United States
This case required states to provide attorneys to defendants who cannot afford one.
Gideon v. Wainwright
This article of the Constitution covers the qualifications, duties, and powers of the executive
Article II
This Federalist paper argues for a strong, energetic executive branch.
This case incorporated the Second Amendment to apply to the states.
McDonald v. Chicago
This case ruled that school-sponsored prayer violates the Establishment Clause
Engel v. Vitale
This case ruled that voting districts drawn intentionally based on race can violate the Constitution.
Shaw v. Reno
This Constitutional clause refers to the foundational principle that, in general, federal law takes precedence over any conflicting state law
The Supremacy Clause
This Federalist essay defends judicial review and the role of courts to uphold the Constitution against tyranny by the other branches.
Federalist #78
This case ruled that the federal government could not restrict independent political spending by corporations because they have free speech.
Citizens United v. FEC
This case protected Amish religious freedom from compulsory schooling laws
Wisconsin v. Yoder
This amendment protects birthright citizenship and people's right to due process and equal protection of the law.
The 14th Amendment