First Amendment SCOTUS Cases
Students wore black armbands in order to protest the Vietnam War despite warnings from school administration. After they were sent home, the students decided to sue their school district for violating the freedom of expression.
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)
A state decided to pass a law that imposed taxes on the bank. A cashier decided not to pay the tax. The state court had ruled that the Bank was unconstitutional, and that the federal government did not have the authority to charter a bank.
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
A high school senior took a concealed weapon inside his school and was charged because of his violation of the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990. The act stated that individuals could not possess firearms within school zones based on the premise of the Commerce Clause.
Congress couldn't use Commerce Clause for power.
United States v. Lopez (1995)
A large republic helps control factions because it's less likely that one group will oppress the rest.
Federalist 10
All people are created equal; the government protects these rights. People have the right to change the govt.
Declaration of Independence
Amish parents refused to send their children to school after the 8th grade. In accordance with their religion, they did not agree with high school attendance. They were later charged under a law that required students to attend school until age 16.
Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
A state law prevented women from having an abortion expect in cases the mother's life was in danger.
Roe v. Wade (1973)
A decision of the Supreme Court of the United States that found that the right of an individual to "keep and bear arms", as protected under the Second Amendment.
McDonald v. Chicago (2010)
Emerged from the debate about the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation.
Outline of federal govt structure powers & limits. (Bill of Rights & Amendments)
Constitution
Created a weak central govt, loose alliances with states, and couldn't force taxation.
No President, standing army, and Judiciary; each state remains sovereign (1 vote).
Articles of Confederation
The Nixon Administration tried to prevent the publishing of a material. The President stated that it was necessary for national security to prohibit it before publication, also known as prior restraint.
New York Times Co v. United States (1971)
A Supreme Court case that ruled that separating children in public schools on the basis of race was unconstitutional.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
North Carolina residents believed that the only purpose of the district was that it would definitely elect African-American representatives, NOT to separate voters racially.
Shaw v. Reno (1993)
Anti-federalist series of essays to encourage New Yorkers to reject the proposed Constitution.
Congress
Brutus 1
Hamilton argues about the importance of an independent judiciary for laws and protecting the rights with the Constitution.
Federalist 78
The New York Board of Regents had authorized that a short but voluntary prayer would be recited. Several organizations filed suit against the Board of Regents, claiming that the prayer violated the Constitution.
The court held that states could not hold prayers in public school.
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
corporations should be considered people and therefore their funding of “independent political expenditures cannot be limited.”
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)
A case in which the Court held that the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments guarantee a right of legal counsel to anyone accused of a crime.
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
The necessity of checks and balances by Madison to prevent tyranny and that freedom is preserved.
Federalist 51
Argues that unity in the executive branch, by a quick and decisive leader, is crucial for energy and security.
Federalist 70
During World War I, a pair of socialists, distributed leaflets that stated the draft violated the 13th Amendment. The leaflet wanted people to disobey the draft. The socialist was charged with violating the Espionage Act of 1917.
Schenck v. United States (1919)
Judicial Review! The Court found that the refusal to deliver the commission was illegal.
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
A case that stated that an old law (1901) that detailed the apportionment for Tennessee’s General Assembly had been ignored, and that reapportionment did not take into account the significant change that the state had gone through.
Baker v. Carr (1962)
Martin defends nonviolent protests against segregation and injustice instead of not taking action.
Letter From A Birmingham Jail