This cheat sheet provides a concise overview of key Supreme Court cases frequently covered in AP Government classes. It focuses on the core principles and impacts of each case, aiming to aid in efficient review and understanding. Remember, this is a summary and further research is recommended for a complete understanding.
Note: This cheat sheet prioritizes cases frequently appearing on AP exams. Not every landmark case is included.
I. Landmark Cases & Constitutional Principles
A. Judicial Review & Federalism
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Marbury v. Madison (1803): Established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional. This fundamentally shaped the balance of power between the branches of government.
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McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): Upheld the implied powers of Congress under the Necessary and Proper Clause (Article I, Section 8). Reinforced the supremacy of federal law over state law. Established the broad interpretation of the Constitution's elastic clause.
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Gibbons v. Ogden (1824): Broadly interpreted the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8), giving Congress significant power to regulate interstate commerce. This had a lasting impact on federal regulatory power.
B. Civil Liberties & Rights
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Gitlow v. New York (1925): Incorporated the First Amendment's freedom of speech to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause, establishing the principle of selective incorporation.
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Mapp v. Ohio (1961): Established the exclusionary rule, preventing illegally obtained evidence from being used in state criminal trials. This protects Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.
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Gideon v. Wainwright (1963): Guaranteed the right to legal counsel for indigent defendants in felony cases, applying the Sixth Amendment to the states via the Fourteenth Amendment.
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Miranda v. Arizona (1966): Established the Miranda rights, requiring police to inform suspects of their constitutional rights before questioning. This protects Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination and Sixth Amendment rights to counsel.
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Tinker v. Des Moines (1969): Protected students' symbolic speech in schools, establishing that students don't shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate.
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New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964): Established a higher standard for libel cases involving public figures, requiring proof of "actual malice." Protects freedom of the press from overly restrictive libel laws.
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Roe v. Wade (1973): Established a woman's right to an abortion, based on the right to privacy implied in the Fourteenth Amendment. This remains a highly contested and frequently litigated case.
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Obergefell v. Hodges (2015): Ruled that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses.
C. Equal Protection & Civil Rights
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Plessy v. Ferguson (1896): Established the "separate but equal" doctrine, allowing for racial segregation. This decision was later overturned by Brown v. Board of Education.
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Brown v. Board of Education (1954): Declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional. Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and marked a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement.
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Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978): Ruled that while affirmative action is permissible, racial quotas in college admissions are unconstitutional.
II. Understanding the Cases
This cheat sheet serves as a starting point. For the AP exam, you need to understand:
- The facts of the case: What happened? Who were the involved parties?
- The constitutional issue: What part of the Constitution was at stake?
- The Supreme Court's ruling: What was the majority opinion? Were there dissenting opinions?
- The impact of the ruling: How did the decision change the law or American society?
By mastering these aspects of each case, you can effectively answer questions and analyze the evolution of American law and government. Good luck with your AP Government studies!
