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• Marbury v. Madison (1803)


  Established the principle of judicial review empowering the Supreme Court to nullify an act of the legislative or executive branch that violates the Constitution
• McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)


  In striking down Maryland's tax on the National Bank, the holding established supremacy of the U.S. Constitution and federal laws over state laws. Often referenced in regards to strengthening the implied powers of the federal government.
• Schenck v. United States (1919)


  Speech creating a "clear and present danger" to national security or public safety is not protected by the First Amendment
• Brown v. Board of Education (1954)


  Race-based school segregation violates the equal protection clause. Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson
• Baker v. Carr (1961)


  Decided that redistricting issues present justiciable questions, thus enabling federal courts to intervene and to decide redistricting cases. The defendants unsuccessfully argued that redistricting of legislative districts is a "political question", and hence not a question that may be resolved by federal courts. "One person, one vote."
• Engel v. Vitale (1962)


  School sponsored prayer and bible readings violates the establishment clause because students feel compelled to participate even if they are not religious or Christian.
• Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)


  Guaranteed the right to an attorney for the poor or indigent (and subsequently everyone) in a state felony case (Incorporation)
• Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)


  Preemptively banning students from wearing black armbands in school to protest the Vietnam War was deemed unconstitutional
• New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)


  Bolstered the freedom of the press, establishing a "heavy presumption against prior restraint" even in cases involving national security. The ruling made it possible for newspapers to publish the then-classified Pentagon Papers without risk of government censorship or punishment.
• Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)


  Compelling Amish students to attend school past the eighth grade violates the free exercise clause
• Roe v. Wade (1973)


  Extended the right of privacy to a woman's decision to have an abortion and established the three trimester standard
• Shaw v. Reno (1993)


  Majority minority districts, created under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, may be constitutionally challenged by voters if race is the only factor used in creating the district. The court ruled in a 5-4 decision that redistricting based on race must be held to a standard of strict scrutiny under the equal protection clause.
• United States v. Lopez (1995)


  Held that the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990, which forbade possession of firearms in public schools, exceeded Congress's constitutional authority to regulate commerce.
• McDonald v. Chicago (2010)


  In overturning Chicago's city-wide ban on handguns, the Supreme Court held that the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for self-defense is applicable to the states. (Incorporation)
• Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)


  Holding: Political spending is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment, and the government may not keep corporations or unions from spending money to support or denounce individual candidates in elections.
• Article 1


  "The Legislative Branch"

  The U.S. Congress makes the laws for the United States. Congress has two parts called "Houses" the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress also has the power to borrow money for the nation, declare war and raise a military. It also has the power to check and balance the other two federal branches.
• Article 2


  "The Executive Branch"

  This branch of the government manages the day-to-day operations of government through different federal departments and agencies. At the head of this branch is the nationally elected President of the United States(Also includes the Vice President, Cabinet, and departments under Cabinet Secretaries.
• Article 3


  "The Judicial Branch"

  Determines that the court of last resort is the US Supreme Court and that the US Congress has the power to determine the size and scope of those courts below it. Courts below the Supreme Court decide criminal and civil court cases according to the correct federal, state, and local laws.
• Article 4


  "The States"

  Explains the relationship between the states and the federal government. The federal government guarantees a republican form of government in each state, protects the nation and the people from foreign/domestic violence, and determines how new states can join the Union. Also suggests that all the states are equal to each other and should respect each other's laws and the judicial decisions made by other state court systems.
• Article 5


  "Amendments"

  Explains that the constitution can be altered if necessary. It is required that for new amendments to be added to the constitution 2/3 of congress needs to approve the amendment and 3/4 of the states need to approve the amendment.
• Article 6


  "Debts, Supremacy, and Oaths"

  Article explains that debts/engagements thats the USA encountered prior to the creation of the constitution are still valid. Also this article explains that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and that all state/federal officers, judges need to uphold all of the Constitutions rules.
• Article 7


  "Ratification"

  Addresses how many states need to ratify the Constitution in order for it to be used in the United States and how states should go about ratifying the constitution.
• 1st Amendment


  Ratified December 15, 1791

  (Bill of Rights) Established freedom of religion, freedom of speech and press as well as the right to assemble and petition.
• 2nd Amendment


  Ratified December 15, 1791

  (Bill of Rights) Established the right to bear arms. Adopted so congress could no disarm state malitias
• 3rd Amendment


  Ratified December 15, 1791

  (Bill of Rights) Established that no homeowner was required to house soldiers whether it be in times of war or peace unless it was prescribed by law or had the homeowners consent.
• 4th Amendment


  Ratified December 15, 1791

  (Bill of Rights) Established that a person could not be searched or have property seized without a search warrant and/or probable cause
• 5th Amendment


  Ratified December 15, 1791

  (Bill of Rights) Established the rights of Accused Persons

  (1) No Self-Incrimination (Miranda Rights)

  (2) No Double Jeopardy (defendant cannot be tried again on the same, or similar charges)

  (3) No deprivation of life, liberty or property without "due process of law" (fair treatment)

  (4) Eminent domain
• 6th Amendment


  Ratified December 15, 1791

  (Bill of Rights) Establishes the right to a fair trial

  (1) Fast and and public trial

  (2)Person must be told charges

  (3)Right to counsel

  (4)Right to jury in criminal cases
• 7th Amendment


  Ratified December 15, 1791

  (Bill of Rights) Guarantees the right to a trial by jury for civil cases in federal court. It will not be tried in court if the dispute involves less than $20.00 (less than $75,000.00 today)
• 8th Amendment


  Ratified December 15, 1791

  (Bill of Rights) Government cannot inflict cruel and unusual punishment and is not allowed to post excessive post. Meaning of cruel changes as society evolves and categorical bans on death penalty.
• 9th Amendment


  Ratified December 15, 1791

  (Bill of Rights) People have unenumerated rights( legal rights inferred from other legal rights that are officiated in a retrievable form codified by law institutions )including the ones stated in the constitution that have not been developed by the supreme court.
• 10th Amendment


  Ratified December 15, 1791

  (Bill of Rights) Powers that were not outlined in the Constitution are reserved for the people or the states (i.e. marriage)
• 11th Amendment


  Ratified Feb. 7, 1795

  Explained that it was impossible for one citizen of a state to sue another state. Federal courts are not permitted to hear courses against states.
• 12th Amendment


  Ratified June 15, 1804

  Explained that members of the electoral college vote for one candidate as president and one candidate as vice president.
• 13th Amendment


  Ratified December 6, 1865

  (Civil War Amendment) Abolished slavery and indentured servitude in the United States unless it was a form of punishment for a crime where a person has been duly convicted.
• 14th Amendment


  Ratified July 9, 1868

  (Civil War Amendment) Granted citizenship to all people born or neutralized in the United States. No person can be denied the rights of life and liberty without due process of the law.
• 15th Amendment


  Ratified February 3, 1870

  (Civil War Amendment)States do not have the right to deny any person the right to vote due to race.
• 16th Amendment


  Ratified February 3, 1913

  Gave government the right to collect income taxes and enact them in society.
• 17th Amendment


  Ratified April 8, 1913

  Gave states the power to directly elect senators instead of them being elected by state legislators
• 18th Amendment


  Ratified January 16, 1919

  Forbade people to make, sell, or drink alcohol ("Prohibition")