AP US Government & Politics: Key Constitutional Amendments & Articles

Constitution of the United States

The foundational legal document of the United States, establishing the framework of government.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government responsible for making laws, primarily composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Amendment 17

An amendment that repealed a portion of Article I regarding the election of Senators.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Grants Congress the power to make all laws necessary and proper for executing its powers.

Elastic Clause

Another name for the Necessary and Proper Clause, indicating its flexibility in allowing Congress to enact laws.

Amendment #10

An amendment stating that powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution are reserved to the States or the people.

Commerce Clause

Which gives Congress the power to regulate business activities between states.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislation upheld by the Supreme Court using the Commerce Clause to prohibit discrimination in various areas.

Gibbons v Ogden

A landmark Supreme Court case that broadened the definition of commerce and affirmed Congress' authority over interstate commerce.

Supremacy Clause

A clause stating that the Constitution and federal laws take precedence over state laws.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause.

National Government

The central government of the United States, which holds authority over all states.

Interstate Commerce

Economic activity that crosses state lines, which can be regulated by the national government.

Article I

The section of the Constitution that establishes the Legislative Branch.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing individual rights.

Original Constitution

The Constitution as it was originally ratified in 1788, before any amendments.

Mastery of the Constitution

A comprehensive understanding and command of the Constitution, required for success in the course.

McCulloch v Maryland

The Supreme Court case that involved the Supremacy Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause, where the majority stated that a creation of National Bank was Necessary and Proper and a state could not tax an instrument of the national government.

Express powers

The powers of the Constitution that are specifically granted to the branches of government.

Check and balance on executive branch

Senate approves treaties.

Check and balance on judicial branch

Can propose constitutional amendment to counter Supreme Court rulings.

Bill of attainder

Making a law declaring a person guilty.

Ex post facto

A retroactive law.

Habeas corpus

'Produce the body' means the right to challenge unlawful detention.

Powers denied to the states

No state can enter into a Treaty, Alliance; No state shall without the consent of Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports.

Express powers of the president

The president is commander-in-chief; the president has the power to negotiate treaties.

Check and balance on legislative branch

The president has veto power.

Amendment 12

Changed the way we elect our President and Vice-President; they are now elected on separate ballots.

Original jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case in the first instance.

Cases with original jurisdiction

Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be a party.

Appellate jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts.

Judicial review

The power to strike down a law or a government regulation that judges believe conflicts with the Constitution.

Marbury v. Madison

The landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.

Check and balance by judicial branch

Judicial review.

Article II

Enforces and implements our laws.

Article III

Interprets our laws.

Article IV

Interstate Relations.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States that full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every state.

Privileges and immunities

Means you cannot be treated differently because you are from another state.

Extradition

Refers to returning someone who committed a felony or another crime back to the state where it occurred.

Amendment #13

Repealed Article IV - Section 2 - Clause 3 through the abolition of slavery.

Article V

Amending Power.

Proposal methods for amending the Constitution

1) 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress; 2) by constitutional convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of the state legislatures.

Ratification methods for amending the Constitution

1) ¾ of state legislatures; 2) by ratifying conventions in ¾ of the states.

21st Amendment

The only amendment that was proposed by 2/3 of states and ratified by conventions in ¾ of states.

Article VI

Supremacy Clause, stating that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land.

Article VII

Ratification requires a supermajority of ¾ of the states.

Federalism

The distribution of power between the national and state governments.

Citizenship

All persons born or naturalized...are citizens of the United States - intended to protect the rights of the freed slaves.

Due Process

Nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty and property without due process of law.

Equal Protection

Nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.