AP US Government & Politics Final Review

Key vocabulary and concepts for the AP US Government & Politics final exam.

Commerce Clause

Congress has the expressed power to regulate trade between states or with foreign nations.

US v. Lopez (1995)

First time the US Supreme Court said a law using the Commerce Clause went too far; gun control in school zones should be a state matter.

Due Process Clause

Found in the 14th Amendment; used by the Supreme Court to apply the Bill of Rights to state laws on a case-by-case basis.

Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)

Congress has the right to pass all laws it deems necessary and proper to carry out their expressed powers, leading to implied powers.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1803)

Reinforced the idea that Congress had expansive implied powers and that the national government was superior to state government when conflicts arise.

Establishment Clause

First Amendment clause forbidding the US government from establishing a religion that its citizens must follow.

Equal Protection Clause

States that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Each state must honor the laws, records, and court decisions of every other state (civil matters only).

Privileges and Immunities Clause

No state may discriminate against a person who lives in another state.

Extradition Clause

The legal process by which a fugitive from justice in one state is returned to it from another state.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes a hierarchy of laws in the US, with the US Constitution as the highest law.

Checks and Balances

To prevent one branch from becoming supreme, it allows for a system-based regulation that allows one branch to limit another.

Legislative Branch Importance

Branch with the most power as they’re closest to people (directly elected and most numerous)

Expressed Powers (Enumerated/Delegated)

Expressed powers listed in Article I, Section 8 of US Constitution.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Grants Congress the ability to make any law that is “necessary and proper” for carrying out its expressed powers.

Executive Branch

The branch with most members / employees; exercises discretion in carrying out laws; has a single leader in the President; contains the bureaucracy and closest advisors to the President.

Expressed Powers of the President

Enforce the law (carry out the laws passed by Congress as he interprets them)

Independent Regulatory Agencies

Are quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial and exist outside of presidential control.

Judicial Branch

Determines the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress and acts of federal government.

US Supreme Court

Interpret the meaning of the US Constitution.

Key Power of Judicial Branch

The power to interpret the constitutionality of laws and acts of government (judicial review) is the key power.

Judicial Review

The Courts’ greatest power—to determine the constitutionality of all laws and acts of government.

Marbury v. Madison

The key case in which the US Supreme Court established the principle of judicial review.

Federal Court Structure

District Courts, Court of Appeals (Circuit), and the Supreme Court.