Court Case Review | AP Gov | NEW!

Summary

This video provides an engaging and concise review of 14 landmark Supreme Court cases crucial for the AP U.S. Government and Politics exam. It breaks down each case into four key elements: facts, issue, holding, and reasoning, making complex legal concepts easier to understand. Topics range from federalism and civil liberties to campaign finance and civil rights. The cases discussed include McCulloch v. Maryland, Marbury v. Madison, Brown v. Board of Education, and Citizens United v. FEC. This review is perfect for students seeking a quick yet comprehensive refresher before the AP exam.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Supreme Court cases are crucial for the AP Exam, and you need to know four key things for each case: facts, issue, holding, and reasoning.
• 😀 McCulloch v. Maryland confirmed that Congress can establish a national bank, and states cannot tax the federal government, reinforcing federal power.
• 😀 U.S. v. Lopez struck down the Gun-Free School Zones Act, emphasizing that Congress' powers under the Commerce Clause are not unlimited, a win for states' rights.
• 😀 Baker v. Carr established that apportionment and redistricting challenges are justiciable in federal court, leading to the 'one person, one vote' principle.
• 😀 Shaw v. Reno ruled that racially gerrymandered districts can be constitutionally challenged, as race cannot be the sole factor in districting decisions.
• 😀 Marbury v. Madison introduced judicial review, establishing the Court’s power to strike down unconstitutional laws and asserting the supremacy of the Constitution.
• 😀 Engel v. Vitale ruled that state-sponsored prayer in public schools violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause.
• 😀 Wisconsin v. Yoder held that Amish children can be exempt from compulsory schooling laws beyond 8th grade, citing the free exercise clause of the First Amendment.
• 😀 Schenck v. U.S. upheld the conviction of Charles Schenck for opposing the draft during WWI, ruling that speech creating a 'clear and present danger' is not protected.
• 😀 Tinker v. Des Moines affirmed that students have the right to free speech in schools, allowing political symbolic speech such as wearing armbands in protest.
• 😀 Citizens United v. FEC allowed unlimited independent political spending by corporations, unions, and associations, citing the First Amendment’s free speech protections.

Q & A

What are the four key things you need to know about every Supreme Court case for the AP Exam?

The four key things to know are: facts (background information), issue (the legal or Constitutional question), holding (the Court's ruling), and reasoning (the Court's explanation of the holding).

What was the outcome of McCulloch v. Maryland, and why is it significant?

The Court ruled that Congress can establish a national bank and that states cannot tax the federal government. It reinforced the power of the federal government over the states and highlighted Congress' implied powers through the necessary and proper clause.

What was the issue and ruling in U.S. v. Lopez?

The issue was whether Congress had the power to pass the Gun-Free School Zones Act under the commerce clause. The Court ruled 5-4 that the law was unconstitutional, affirming that the commerce clause does not grant Congress limitless power, and some powers are reserved to the states.

How did Baker v. Carr impact the concept of 'one person, one vote'?

Baker v. Carr established that redistricting and apportionment challenges are justiciable in federal courts. The Court ruled that unequal apportionment violates the equal protection clause, which led to the principle of 'one person, one vote', ensuring electoral fairness.

What did Shaw v. Reno address regarding racial gerrymandering?

Shaw v. Reno addressed whether voters could challenge racially gerrymandered districts in federal court. The Court ruled that districts drawn solely based on race could be challenged, asserting that such practices violate the equal protection clause.

What was the significance of Marbury v. Madison?

Marbury v. Madison established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to strike down unconstitutional laws. It affirmed the Court’s role in interpreting the Constitution and upholding it against conflicting laws.

How did Engel v. Vitale relate to the First Amendment’s establishment clause?

Engel v. Vitale involved the New York law requiring public school students to recite a prayer. The Court ruled that this violated the First Amendment’s establishment clause, as it constituted state-sponsored religious activity in public schools.

What was the ruling in Wisconsin v. Yoder, and why was it important for religious freedom?

In Wisconsin v. Yoder, the Court ruled that the state could not compel Amish children to attend school beyond the eighth grade, prioritizing the Amish families' right to freely exercise their religious beliefs over the state’s interest in compulsory education.

What did Schenck v. U.S. decide about free speech during wartime?

Schenck v. U.S. upheld the conviction of Charles Schenck for distributing anti-draft leaflets, ruling that speech posing a 'clear and present danger' during wartime could be restricted, marking an exception to the usual First Amendment protections.

What was the Court's ruling in Tinker v. Des Moines regarding student free speech?

The Court ruled that students have the right to free speech at school, including wearing armbands to protest the Vietnam War. This case set a precedent that students' political expression cannot be suppressed unless it substantially disrupts the school environment.