Required Court Cases and Foundational Documents

Question 1

Federalist No. 10

Answer 1

James Madison: warned against factions, bigger US means more political diversity

Question 2

Brutus No. 1

Answer 2

Supported by anti-federalists and said that a federal government would be too powerful

Question 3

The Declaration of Independence

Answer 3

July 4 1776: continental congress proclamation of independence from Great Britain

Question 4

The Articles of Confederation

Answer 4

1st ruling law: weaknesses- no executive, strong state governments, no judiciary, no power to tax, no military, no power to regulate trade

Question 5

The Constitution and Amendments

Answer 5

Replaced the articles and formed the structure for the U.S’s government

Question 6

Federalist No. 51

Answer 6

James Madison: promotes the separation of powers

Question 7

Letter From A Birmingham Jail

Answer 7

Martin Luther King Jr: talks about nonviolent tactics and overall fight for civil rights

Question 8

Federalist No. 70

Answer 8

Alexander Hamilton: need for one president in the executive (they can make decisions quicker and act with more energy)

Question 9

Federalist No. 78

Answer 9

Alexander Hamilton: talks about the judiciary, federal judges serve for life

Question 10

McCulloch v. Maryland

Answer 10

State cannot tax federal banks: necessary and proper clause and supremacy clause

Question 11

U.S. v. Lopez

Answer 11

Gun free school act: unconstitutional under the commerce clause

Question 12

Engel v. Vitale

Answer 12

Mandated prayer in schools: unconstitutional under the establishment clause of the 1st amendment

Question 13

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Answer 13

Amish family: protected free exercise clause under the 1st amendment

Question 14

Tinker v. Des Moines

Answer 14

Vietnam war armbands: protected students freedom of expression under the 1st amendment (not disrupting classes)

Question 15

NYT v. U.S.

Answer 15

Pentagon papers: protected freedom of the press

Question 16

Schenck v. U.S.

Answer 16

Clear and present danger test: limits speech during war time

Question 17

Gideon v. Wainwright

Answer 17

Criminal rights: right to counsel for criminals under the 6th amendment

Question 18

McDonald v. Chicago

Answer 18

Incorporated the 2nd amendment into the states

Question 19

Brown v. Board of Education

Answer 19

Racial segregation is unconstitutional: 14th amendment’s equal protection clause, overruled Plessy v. Ferguson “separate but equal”

Question 20

Citizens United v. FEC

Answer 20

Movie about Hillary Clinton: PAC’s are allowed to spend money on electioneering as it’s a form of speech, 1st amendment

Question 21

Baker v. Carr

Answer 21

“One-person-one-vote”: made sure redistricting was fair, equal protection clause, 14th amendment

Question 22

Shaw v. Reno

Answer 22

No racial gerrymandering: equal protection, 14th amendment and Voting Rights Act of 1965

Question 23

Marbury v. Madison

Answer 23

Judicial Review: judiciary can check on the other two branches, article 3