AP Government Required Supreme Court Cases Units 1 -3. 2020 - 2021

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

A state authorized students in its public schools to recite a short, voluntary prayer. The Court found that prayer could not be mandated by public schools as it violated establishment clause of 1st Amendment

Schenck v United States (1919)

Defendant mailed fliers to draftees during WWI urging them to protest the craft peacefully. Was convicted of violating a federal law against encouraging the disobedience of military orders. Oliver Wendel Holmes wrote in the opinion that such speech was not protected during wartime because it would create a clear and present danger, establishing a standard for measuring what would and would not be protected speech. The question before the Court was the line between the effect of freedom of speech and national draft orders.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

a landmark case in the area of redistricting and racial gerrymandering. The court ruled in a 5-4 decision that redistricting based on race must be held to a standard of strict scrutiny under the equal protection clause. On the other hand, bodies doing redistricting must be conscious of race to the extent that they must ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeals. It held that while Congress had broad lawmaking authority under the Commerce Clause, the power was limited, and did not extend so far from "commerce" as to authorize the regulation of the carrying of handguns, especially when there was no evidence that carrying them affected the economy on a massive scale Keyword: Limited Commerce Authority

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

The Court ruled that in state trials, those who cannot afford an attorney will have one provided by the state, overturning Betts v. Brady. The question before the court was about Sovereignty immunity.

Tinker V. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)

The Court ruled that wearing black armbands in protest of the Vietnam War was symbolic speech, protected by the First Amendment. The question before the court was of about the 1st Amendment.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

The court established its role as the arbiter of the constitutionality of federal laws, the principle is known as judicial review.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

The courts ruled that the states cannot tax the federal government, i.e. the Bank of the United States; the phrase "the power to tax is the power to destroy"; federal government is supreme to the states (supremacy clause); confirmed the constitutionality of the Bank of the United States (elastic clause).

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

case in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled (7-0) that compulsory school attendance law was unconstitutional when applied to the Amish, because it violated their rights under the First Amendment, which guaranteed the free exercise of religion.

Baker v. Carr (1961)

case that established the principle of one man, one vote. This decision created guidelines for apportionment, drawing up congressional districts to guarantee a more equitable system of representation to the citizens of each state. - The case also decided the Supreme Court had jurisdiction over questions of legislative apportionment.