Required Cases Flashcards
(15 cards)
What was the significance of Marbury v. Madison (1803)?
Gave the Supreme Court the power of judicial review—they can say if laws or actions are unconstitutional. Huge for checks and balances.
What did McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) establish?
Said Congress can create a national bank (using the necessary and proper clause) and states can’t tax it (supremacy clause). Federal power > state power.
What was the ruling in U.S. v. Lopez (1995)?
Said Congress went too far using the commerce clause to ban guns near schools. Protected state power and limited federal reach.
What did Engel v. Vitale (1962) rule regarding school prayer?
Banned school-led prayer—even if it’s optional—because it violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
What was the outcome of Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)?
Said Amish kids can stop going to school after 8th grade. The Free Exercise Clause protects religious beliefs over state school laws.
What did Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) protect?
Students wore black armbands to protest the Vietnam War. The Court said that’s symbolic speech and is protected under the First Amendment at school—unless it causes major disruption.
What was the ruling in New York Times v. U.S. (1971)?
The gov’t tried to stop the press from publishing the Pentagon Papers. The Court said that’s prior restraint and it’s mostly not allowed—freedom of the press wins.
What did Schenck v. U.S. (1919) determine about free speech?
Said free speech can be limited if it creates a “clear and present danger”—like encouraging people to dodge the draft during wartime.
What was established in Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)?
Said states must give free lawyers to people who can’t afford one in criminal cases. Applies the 6th Amendment using selective incorporation.
What did Roe v. Wade (1973) protect?
Said the right to privacy (from the 14th Amendment) protects a woman’s right to choose abortion—up to a certain point in pregnancy.
What was the ruling in McDonald v. Chicago (2010)?
Used the 14th Amendment to say states can’t ban handguns—2nd Amendment applies to states too (selective incorporation again).
What did Brown v. Board of Education (1954) achieve?
Ended racial segregation in public schools. Said “separate but equal” is not actually equal—violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
Citizens United v. FEC (2010)
Said corporations and unions can spend unlimited money on political ads (independent expenditures), because money = free speech under the First Amendment. Led to the rise of Super PACs.
Shaw v. Reno (1993)
Said racial gerrymandering is not allowed. You can’t draw voting districts based only on race—violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
Baker v. Carr (1962)
Said federal courts can hear cases about gerrymandering and redistricting. Opened the door for courts to make states fix unequal districts—led to the “one person, one vote” rule under the Equal Protection Clause.
