exam review

Question 1

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Answer 1

William Marbury sued for the delivery of his judicial commission after it was withheld by the new administration : Established judicial review

Question 2

Federalist No. 78

Answer 2

Essay by Alexander Hamilton discussing the judiciary : Supported an independent judiciary and judicial review as a check on the legislative branch

Question 3

Baker v. Carr (1961)

Answer 3

A Tennessee resident challenged the state’s legislative district boundaries as unfair and outdated : Established that redistricting issues could be decided by federal courts (justiciability of apportionment)

Question 4

1st Amendment

Answer 4

Protects freedoms of speech

Question 5

Declaration of Independence

Answer 5

Written by Thomas Jefferson to explain why the colonies were separating from Britain : Established the idea of natural rights

Question 6

Letter from Birmingham Jail

Answer 6

Written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. defending civil disobedience : Argued that unjust laws must be challenged and highlighted the need for nonviolent protest against inequality

Question 7

17th Amendment

Answer 7

Established direct election of U.S. Senators by the people : Expanded democratic participation in federal legislative elections

Question 8

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Answer 8

A Chicago resident challenged city handgun bans after the D.C. v. Heller decision : Incorporated the Second Amendment right to bear arms to the states

Question 9

U.S. Constitution

Answer 9

The foundational legal document establishing the structure

Question 10

Schenck v. United States (1919)

Answer 10

A man was convicted for distributing anti-draft leaflets during World War I : Allowed speech to be restricted if it presents a “clear and present danger”

Question 11

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Answer 11

Maryland tried to tax the national bank and questioned Congress’s authority to establish it : Strengthened federal power by upholding implied powers and denying states the right to tax the federal government

Question 12

24th Amendment

Answer 12

Banned poll taxes in federal elections

Question 13

Article II

Answer 13

Executive Branch : Establishes the presidency

Question 14

Article III

Answer 14

Judicial Branch : Establishes the federal judiciary

Question 15

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Answer 15

A student was charged under federal law for bringing a gun to school : Limited Congress’s use of the Commerce Clause

Question 16

8th Amendment

Answer 16

Prohibits excessive bail

Question 17

6th Amendment

Answer 17

Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial

Question 18

26th Amendment

Answer 18

Lowered the voting age to 18

Question 19

14th Amendment

Answer 19

Grants citizenship and guarantees due process and equal protection under the law

Question 20

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Answer 20

African American students were denied admittance to certain public schools based on race : Declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause

Question 21

Brutus No. 1

Answer 21

Anti-Federalist essay opposing the ratification of the Constitution : Feared a strong central government would overpower the states and threaten individual freedoms

Question 22

Federalist No. 10

Answer 22

Essay by James Madison arguing in favor of a large republic : Warned against factions and argued that a large republic would best control their effects

Question 23

19th Amendment

Answer 23

Granted women the right to vote

Question 24

Federalist No. 51

Answer 24

Essay by James Madison explaining how the Constitution’s structure protects liberty : Argued for separation of powers and checks and balances to prevent tyranny

Question 25

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Answer 25

A public school held a voluntary

Question 26

4th Amendment

Answer 26

Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures without a warrant or probable cause

Question 27

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Answer 27

Clarence Gideon was denied a court-appointed attorney because Florida only provided lawyers for capital cases : Guaranteed the right to legal counsel for defendants in state courts (6th Amendment)

Question 28

5th Amendment

Answer 28

Protects against self-incrimination

Question 29

Article I

Answer 29

Legislative Branch : Establishes Congress

Question 30

New York Times Company v. U.S. (1971)

Answer 30

The government tried to block publication of the Pentagon Papers citing national security : Reinforced freedom of the press and limited prior restraint

Question 31

15th Amendment

Answer 31

Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race

Question 32

2nd Amendment

Answer 32

Grants the right to keep and bear arms : Protects individual firearm ownership

Question 33

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

Answer 33

A nonprofit group challenged limits on independent political spending by corporations : Allowed unlimited independent political expenditures by corporations and unions (First Amendment)

Question 34

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

Answer 34

Students were suspended for wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War : Protected symbolic speech in schools under the First Amendment

Question 35

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Answer 35

A North Carolina congressional district was drawn in a racially gerrymandered shape : Prohibited racial gerrymandering under the Equal Protection Clause

Question 36

Federalist No. 70

Answer 36

Essay by Alexander Hamilton defending a single energetic executive : Argued that a strong

Question 37

Articles of Confederation

Answer 37

The first constitution of the U.S. that created a loose league of friendship among states : Created a weak central government with limited powers; later replaced due to ineffectiveness

Question 38

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Answer 38

Amish families refused to send their children to school past 8th grade due to religious beliefs : Strengthened free exercise of religion over compulsory education laws