Court Cases
The court ruled that individuals in police custody must be informed of their rights before being interrogated. It protected 5th amendment rights against self incrimination.
Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
Establishes the federal judiciary, including the supreme court and other federal courts
Article III: The Judicial Branch
Upheld constitutionality of the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans during WWII
Korematsu v. US (1944)
Grants congress the power to regulate interstate and international commerce
Commerce Clause
Articles of Confederation (1781)
Case recognized a woman's constitutional right to have an abortion under the right to privacy implied in the 14th amendment
Roe v. Wade (1973)
Describes the process for amending the Constitution, requiring approval by 2/3's of both houses of Congress.
Article V: The Amendment Process
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
Allows congress to enact laws necessary to execute it's enumerated powers
Necessary and Proper (Elastic) Clause
Authored by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay: Explained principals and benefits of the US Constitution, promoting the idea of a constitutional republic with strong federal government
Federalist Papers
Case affirmed students' 1st Amendment rights are protected in public school. Free speech could not be restricted unless it disrupted a school's operations.
Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
Establishes the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land, overriding state laws
Court ruled that free speech could be limited when it presents clear and present danger to the government or society. Sets a precedent for war time and national security concerns.
Schenck v. United States (1919)
Prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts or emoluments from foreign governments
Emoluments Clause
Drafted by Thomas Paine, advocating for American independence from British Rule, promoting principals of self governance and democratic representation
Common Sense (1776)
This case established the principal of judicial review, granting Supreme Court authority to review and invalidate laws or actions they deem unconstitutional.
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Requires states to recognize and respect public acts, records and judicial proceedings in other states.
Court held that racial gerrymandering, the redrawing of electoral districts to favor a particular race, was unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment
Shaw v. Reno (1993)
Supported ratification of the constitution, arguing for a stronger central government to ensure stability and protect national interests
Federalists
Issued in 1215, established principle that the king's power was not absolute and even the monarchy should be subject to the law.
Magna Carta (1215)
Supreme Court's established "Separate but Equal" doctrine, allowing racial segregation in public facilities as long as they were deemed equal (overturned in Brown v. Board of Education).
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
Establishes the bicameral congress, consisting of the senate and house of representatives.
Article I: The Legislative Branch
Court held that 2nd Amendment protects individuals right to possess firearms for self-defense within the home.
District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)
opposed ratification, fearing an overly powerful government might infringe on individual liberties
Anti-Federalists
Served as a model for the Bill of Rights and laid the groundwork for individual rights and protection of personal freedoms.
Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776)