All Flashcards
Significance of McCulloch v. Maryland?
Upheld implied powers of Congress and the supremacy of the federal government.
Significance of United States v. Lopez?
Limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause; affirmed state sovereignty.
Significance of Engel v. Vitale?
School-sponsored prayer violates the Establishment Clause.
Significance of Wisconsin v. Yoder?
Upheld religious freedom (Free Exercise Clause) over mandatory education.
Significance of Tinker v. Des Moines?
Students have free speech rights at school if not disruptive.
Significance of New York Times Co. v. United States?
Established a 'heavy presumption against prior restraint' even for national security.
Significance of Schenck v. United States?
Speech creating a 'clear and present danger' is not protected.
Significance of Gideon v. Wainwright?
Right to counsel applies to state felony cases through the 14th Amendment.
Significance of McDonald v. Chicago?
The Second Amendment right to bear arms applies to the states.
Significance of Brown v. Board of Education?
'Separate but equal' is unconstitutional; segregation in schools violates Equal Protection Clause.
Define 'Implied Powers'.
Powers not directly stated in the Constitution but necessary to carry out enumerated powers.
Define 'Supremacy Clause'.
States cannot tax or impede the federal government's legitimate constitutional actions.
Define 'Tenth Amendment'.
Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people.
Define 'Establishment Clause'.
Prohibits the government from establishing a religion.
Define 'Free Exercise Clause'.
Protects citizens' right to practice their religion as they choose.
Define 'Prior Restraint'.
Government preventing material from being published; generally unconstitutional.
Define 'Selective Incorporation'.
Applying the Bill of Rights to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.
Define 'Equal Protection Clause'.
Guarantees all citizens equal protection of the laws; part of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Define 'Judicial Review'.
The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional.
Define 'Stare Decisis'.
The principle that courts should follow precedent when deciding similar cases.
Cause and effect of school-sponsored prayer?
Cause: Voluntary prayer in NY schools. Effect: Declared unconstitutional due to Establishment Clause (Engel v. Vitale).
Cause and effect of the Gun-Free School Zones Act?
Cause: Congress passed Gun-Free School Zones Act. Effect: Limited by US v. Lopez, reaffirming state power.
Cause and effect of segregation in public schools?
Cause: State segregation laws. Effect: Declared unconstitutional by Brown v. Board, violating Equal Protection Clause.
Cause and effect of students wearing armbands?
Cause: Students protesting Vietnam War with armbands. Effect: Upheld students' free speech rights (Tinker v. Des Moines).
Cause and effect of the Espionage Act?
Cause: Charles Schenck urged people to resist the WWI draft. Effect: Limited free speech during wartime (Schenck v. United States).