The 14 required Supreme Court cases
Every case the exam expects you to know cold. Each page gives you the facts, the constitutional question, the holding, a video walkthrough, and a comparison FRQ to practice with.
Unit 1
Foundations of American Democracy
- 1803Judicial Review
Marbury v. Madison
Established judicial review by holding that the Supreme Court may declare acts of Congress unconstitutional.
Article III (Judicial Power)
Read the case - 1819Federalism & The Supremacy Clause
McCulloch v. Maryland
Congress has implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause, and states cannot tax valid federal institutions.
Supremacy Clause (Article VI)
Read the case - 1995Federalism & The Commerce Clause
United States v. Lopez
Congress exceeded its Commerce Clause authority by criminalizing gun possession in school zones.
Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8)
Read the case
Unit 2
Interactions Among Branches of Government
- 1962Redistricting & Malapportionment
Baker v. Carr
Legislative malapportionment claims are justiciable, opening the door to the “one person, one vote” principle.
Fourteenth Amendment: Equal Protection Clause
Read the case - 1993Voting Rights & Equal Protection
Shaw v. Reno
Racial gerrymandering that sorts voters by race may violate the Equal Protection Clause even when intended to help minority representation.
Fourteenth Amendment: Equal Protection Clause
Read the case
Unit 3
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
- 1919Free Speech & Social Order
Schenck v. United States
Speech may be restricted when it creates a clear and present danger, especially during wartime.
First Amendment: Freedom of Speech
Read the case - 1962Establishment Clause
Engel v. Vitale
State-sponsored prayer in public schools violates the Establishment Clause even when participation is voluntary.
First Amendment: Establishment Clause
Read the case - 1972The Free Exercise Clause
Wisconsin v. Yoder
Amish families may be exempt from compulsory high school attendance when it burdens sincere religious practice.
First Amendment: Free Exercise Clause
Read the case - 2010Second Amendment & Incorporation
McDonald v. Chicago
The Second Amendment right to bear arms for self-defense is incorporated against state and local governments.
Second Amendment
Read the case
Unit 4
American Political Ideologies and Beliefs
- 1963Rights of the Accused
Gideon v. Wainwright
States must provide attorneys to indigent defendants charged with serious crimes in felony cases.
Sixth Amendment: Right to Counsel
Read the case - 1969Student Speech
Tinker v. Des Moines
Students may engage in symbolic speech at school unless it causes a substantial disruption.
First Amendment: Freedom of Speech
Read the case - 1971Freedom of the Press
New York Times Co. v. United States
The government may not impose prior restraint on the press without meeting an extremely heavy burden.
First Amendment: Freedom of the Press
Read the case
Unit 5
Political Participation
- 1954Equal Protection & Desegregation
Brown v. Board of Education
Racially segregated public schools violate the Equal Protection Clause because separate facilities are inherently unequal.
Fourteenth Amendment: Equal Protection Clause
Read the case - 2010Campaign Finance
Citizens United v. FEC
Independent political spending by corporations and unions is protected speech and cannot be limited by the government.
First Amendment: Freedom of Speech
Read the case