Introduction: Why Supreme Court Cases Matter in APUSH
The AP U.S. History exam loves testing Supreme Court cases because they connect law, politics, and social change. From Marbury v. Madison to Brown v. Board of Education, cases illustrate how the Court shaped American life.
But memorizing dozens of decisions can feel overwhelming. That’s why you need mnemonics, thematic organization, and practice with RevisionDojo’s Supreme Court case banks. This guide shows you how to remember the most important APUSH cases and use them effectively in essays and multiple-choice questions.
Step 1: Why APUSH Tests Supreme Court Cases
- Multiple Choice (MCQ): Often use case excerpts.
- SAQs: Ask about cause/effect of landmark cases.
- DBQs/LEQs: Cases make excellent outside evidence.
👉 Example: A DBQ on Civil Rights almost always rewards students who reference Brown v. Board of Education (1954).
Step 2: Organize Cases by Theme
Instead of memorizing random names, sort cases by historical theme:
Early Republic (1800–1850s)
- Marbury v. Madison (1803) → Judicial review.
- McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) → Federal supremacy.
- Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) → Interstate commerce.
- Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) → Denied citizenship to African Americans.
Reconstruction & Gilded Age
- Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) → “Separate but equal.”
Progressive Era & New Deal
- Schenck v. United States (1919) → Free speech limits in wartime.
- Schechter v. U.S. (1935) → Limited New Deal authority.
Civil Rights Era
- Brown v. Board of Education (1954) → Overturned Plessy.
- Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) → Right to an attorney.
- Miranda v. Arizona (1966) → Rights read to suspects.
Modern Era
- Roe v. Wade (1973) → Abortion rights (privacy).
- Bush v. Gore (2000) → Election dispute settled by Court.
👉 Organizing cases this way helps you see continuity & change.
Step 3: Mnemonics to Remember Cases
- Marbury v. Madison (1803): “M&M = Judicial Review is Sweet.”
- McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): “M&M = Maryland can’t tax McCulloch’s bank.”
- Gibbons v. Ogden (1824): “Gibbons = Go Boats.” (interstate steamboats = federal power).
- Plessy v. Ferguson (1896): “Plessy = Please stay separate.”
- Brown v. Board (1954): “Brown = Broke segregation.”
- Miranda v. Arizona (1966): “Miranda Rights = Right to Remain Silent.”
👉 RevisionDojo’s Case Mnemonic Decks include visuals and short memory cues for each case.
Step 4: Flashcards for Court Cases
Digital Flashcards
- Front: Case name + year.
- Back: Decision + significance.
- Example:
- Front: Marbury v. Madison (1803)
- Back: Established judicial review; strengthened judiciary.
Physical Flashcards
- Add mnemonics or doodles on the back.
- Group cards by themes (Civil Rights, Federal Power, etc.).
👉 Use RevisionDojo’s Supreme Court Flashcard Sets for practice.
Step 5: Use Cases in Essays
Supreme Court cases make excellent outside evidence:
- DBQ Example Prompt: Evaluate the extent to which Reconstruction reshaped Southern society.
- Use Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) as background → denied rights before Civil War.
- Contrast with 14th Amendment + Civil Rights Act.
- LEQ Example Prompt: Evaluate the effectiveness of the Civil Rights Movement.
- Use Brown v. Board of Education (1954) as key turning point.
👉 Always include case name, year, and impact for maximum credit.
Step 6: Case Comparison Charts
One of the best strategies is comparing opposing cases:
- Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) → Segregation legal.
- Brown v. Board (1954) → Segregation illegal.
- Schenck v. United States (1919) → Limited free speech.
- Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) → Expanded student speech rights.
👉 Comparisons show continuity and change, earning complexity points in essays.
Step 7: Study Plan for Supreme Court Cases
- Daily: Review 5–10 flashcards.
- Weekly: Write 1 short essay using 2–3 cases.
- Unit Review: Build a thematic chart of cases by era.
- Final Exam Review: Drill high-yield cases (Marbury, Plessy, Brown, Miranda).
👉 RevisionDojo’s Supreme Court Practice Hub has essay prompts and case charts ready to use.
Step 8: Common Mistakes Students Make
- Only memorizing names: Always connect to significance.
- Mixing up dates: Remember rough eras, not exact years.
- Forgetting outcomes: “What did the case DO?” is more important than the name.
- Not applying cases in essays: You must use them in arguments, not just list them.
Step 9: RevisionDojo Resources
- Case Mnemonic Decks (digital + printable).
- Flashcard Sets sorted by theme + period.
- Comparison Charts for turning points.
- Practice DBQs & LEQs with model answers using Supreme Court evidence.
👉 Check out RevisionDojo’s APUSH Supreme Court Hub here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How many Supreme Court cases should I know for APUSH?
A: About 15–20 landmark cases are enough for exam success.
Q: Do I need to know the year for each case?
A: Approximate era is fine — focus on the impact and theme.
Q: Which case is most important?
A: Marbury v. Madison (1803) (judicial review) and Brown v. Board (1954) (Civil Rights turning point).
Q: Are cases tested more in multiple choice or essays?
A: Both. MCQs often use excerpts; essays reward using cases as evidence.
Q: How do I avoid confusing cases?
A: Group them by theme and use mnemonics.
Final Thoughts
Supreme Court cases are some of the most high-yield APUSH content. They connect political debates, social struggles, and constitutional principles.
Remember:
- Organize cases by themes and eras.
- Use mnemonics and flashcards to memorize.
- Apply cases in DBQs and LEQs for complexity points.
- Drill regularly with RevisionDojo’s case banks and trackers.
If you can confidently explain cases like Marbury, Plessy, Brown, Miranda, and Roe, you’ll not only boost your exam score — you’ll also understand how law shaped American history.
