AP Gov Required SCOTUS Cases

In McCulloch v. Maryland , the Supreme Court established which of the following principles?

• States cannot interfere with or tax the legitimate activities of the federal government.

• States have the right to tax federal institutions.

• The federal government can only operate within its enumerated powers.

• States can regulate interstate commerce.

In Gideon v. Wainwright, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the

• Sixth Amendment right-to-counsel provision applies to those accused of major crimes under state laws

• Fifth Amendment protects against self-incrimination in state courts

• Fourteenth Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law

• Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment

In Engel v. Vitale (1962), which of the following provides the legal reasoning behind the Supreme Court’s ruling?

• It ruled that the state had an overarching right to compel students to listen to a nondenominational prayer led by public school teachers, finding such action permissible under the Tenth Amendment.

• It ruled that the state had no justifiable interest to compel students to listen to a nondenominational prayer led by public school teachers, finding a clear establishment clause violation.

• It balanced the school’s interest in providing for an open and peaceful frame of mind for the school day with the interest of the students in not being subjected to the prayer, ultimately ruling for the state.

• It rejected the student complaint, as public school students have no free exercise rights in school.

In response to the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold Act), the United States Supreme Court, in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010), ruled that:

• independent campaign expenditures by corporations and unions are protected by the First Amendment

• corporate contributions to political campaigns are strictly prohibited

• unions cannot engage in political advertising

• the government can limit campaign spending by individuals

The decision in US v Lopez (1995) reflected new ideas about federalism at the time that can best be described as...?

• A broadening of the authority of the commerce clause to include non-economic activities.

• A narrowing of the authority of the commerce clause to only cases that involved economic activities.

• An expansion of state powers over federal powers in all cases.

• A complete rejection of federal authority in favor of state sovereignty.

In the case Boynton v. Virginia (1960), the Supreme Court ruled that segregation at a bus stop restaurant was illegal based on the Interstate Commerce Act. How is this case similar to Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)?

• Both cases upheld segregation laws.

• Both cases struck down local ordinances that prescribed segregation.

• Both cases were decided by a 5-4 vote.

• Both cases involved the rights of private businesses.

Which of the following cases decided whether a state could compel children to attend school beyond eighth grade even if it violated the students’ sincerely held religious beliefs?

• United States v. Lopez (1995)

• Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

• Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)

• Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Which Supreme Court decision allows public school students to wear T-shirts protesting a school board decision that eliminates funding for high school arts programs?

• Engel v. Vitale (1962)

• Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

• Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)

• New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)

Which Supreme Court case is most aligned with Justice Alito's reasoning to treat gun ownership for self-defense as a fundamental liberty?

• United States v. Lopez (1995)

• McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

• Baker v. Carr (1962)

• McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

The Supreme Court's decision about abortion in Roe v. Wade was based on

• the right to privacy implied in the Bill of Rights

• the right to free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment

• the separation of church and state

• the right to bear arms as stated in the Second Amendment