Cases
This case established the principle of judicial review.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
This case invented the "clear and present danger" test for when trying to determine if a state could constitutionally limit an individuals freedom of speech rights under he First Amendment.
What is Schenck v. United States?
In this case, the Court ruled that the Constitution protects a pregnant woman's liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction.
What is Roe v. Wade?
A document that has the important phrase of "all men are created equal" and reasons as to why the King of Britain is a tyrant.
What is Declaration of Independence?
A document that established America's national government and fundamental laws, and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens.
What is the Constitution of the United States?
This case established that Congress had implied constitutional power to create a national bank and that individual states could not tax a federally chartered bank.
What is McCulloch v. Maryland?
This case ruled that state laws establishing racial segregation in public schools are unconstitutional.
What is Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka?
In this case, the Court ruled that redistricting based on race must be held to a standard of strict scrutiny under the equal protection clause.
What is Shaw v. Reno?
This document introduced thirteen different articles that granted powers to the states and to the federal government.
What is the Articles of Confederation?
This document warns about the power of factions and competing interests over the United States Government.
What is Federalist No. 10?
This case was about Tennessee and how a law designed to apportion the seats for the state's General Assembly was ignored.
What is Baker v. Carr?
In this case, the Supreme Court held that official recitation of prayers in public schools violated the First Amendment's Establishment Clause.
What is Engel v. Vitale?
This case had the Court rule that the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was unconstitutional Congress had exceeded its authority under commerce clause.
What is United States v. Lopez?
This document argued that federal power was terrible and that the Constitution gave too much power to the federal government, at the expense of the states.
What is Brutus No. 1?
This document talks about how there can be appropriate checks and balances in the government and how there has to be a separation of powers within the national government.
What is Federalist No. 51?
This case ruled that the Constitution requires the states to provide defense attorneys to criminal defendants charged with serious offenses who cannot afford lawyers themselves.
What is Gideon v. Wainwright?
This case ruled that public school officials cannot censor student expression unless they can reasonably see that the speech will substantially disrupt school activities or invade the rights of others.
What is Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District?
In this case, the Court ruled that the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments as well as to the federal government.
What is McDonald v. Chicago?
This document argues in favor of the unitary executive and talks about how it is necessary as to ensure accountability in the government.
What is Federalist No. 70?
This document talks about the power of judicial review and how federal courts have the job of determining whether acts of Congress are constitutional, and what to do if something turns out to be unconstitutional.
What is Federalist No. 78?
This case defended the First Amendment right of free press against prior restating by the government.
What is New York Times Company v. United States?
In this case, the Court prioritized free exercise of religion over the state interest in an educated populace.
What is Wisconsin v. Yoder?
In this case, the Court overruled an earlier decision that allowed prohibitions on independent expenditures by corporations.
What is Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission?
This document is about a social rights activist and his response to criticism against him and outlines the ideology of nonviolent protest.
What is Letter from a Birmingham Jail?
This collection of articles and essays were published to urge New Yorkers to ratify the proposed United States Constitution.
What is The Federalist Papers?