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.
Main idea of the Necessary and Proper Clause?
Grants Congress implied powers to enact laws 'necessary and proper' to execute its enumerated powers.
Main idea of the Commerce Clause?
Gives Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce.
Main idea of the First Amendment?
Guarantees freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
Main idea of the Sixth Amendment?
Guarantees the right to counsel in criminal prosecutions.
Main idea of the Fourteenth Amendment?
Guarantees equal protection and due process under the law; used for selective incorporation.
Main idea of the Second Amendment?
Guarantees the right to bear arms.
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.