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Popular Sovereignty

The principle that government derives its power and authority from the consent of the people.

Republicanism

A system of government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions and pass laws on their behalf.

Limited Government

The principle that governmental power is restricted by laws and the Constitution to protect individual liberties.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to amend or veto acts of another branch to prevent any single branch from exerting too much power.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a national (federal) government and regional (state) governments.

Article I

Establishes the Legislative Branch of the U.S. government (Congress).

Article II

Establishes the Executive Branch of the U.S. government (the Presidency).

Article III

Establishes the Judicial Branch of the U.S. government (Supreme Court and federal court system).

Article IV

Outlines relationships among the states and the process for admitting new states.

Article V

Details the process for amending the U.S. Constitution.

Article VI

Establishes the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties as the supreme law of the land.

Article VII

Explains the requirements for ratifying the Constitution.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Article I, Section 8 provision that grants Congress the flexibility to pass laws required to carry out its enumerated powers; also known as the Elastic Clause.

Commerce Clause

Article I, Section 8 provision giving Congress authority to regulate trade with foreign nations and among the states.

Supremacy Clause

Article VI provision stating that valid federal laws and treaties supersede conflicting state laws.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Article IV provision requiring states to respect and recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

1st Amendment

Protects RAPPS: Religion (Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses), Assembly, Press, Petition, and Speech.

2nd Amendment

Protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms.

3rd Amendment

Prohibits the forced quartering of soldiers in private homes during peacetime without consent.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures and requires probable cause for search warrants.

5th Amendment

Guarantees federal due process, grand jury indictment, protection against double jeopardy and self-incrimination, and mandates just compensation for eminent domain (Takings Clause).

6th Amendment

Guarantees criminal trial rights: speedy and public trial, impartial jury, notice of accusation, confrontation of witnesses, and assistance of counsel.

7th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a jury trial in certain federal civil disputes.

8th Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments.

9th Amendment

States that the listing of specific rights in the Constitution does not deny or disparage other unenumerated rights retained by the people.

10th Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution to the states or to the people.

11th Amendment

Restricts state immunity, limiting certain lawsuits against states in federal court.

12th Amendment

Revises presidential election procedures by requiring electors to vote separately for President and Vice President.

13th Amendment

Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.

14th Amendment

Defines citizenship, guarantees state due process and equal protection, and provides the mechanism for selective incorporation of the Bill of Rights.

15th Amendment

Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

16th Amendment

Grants Congress the authority to levy a federal income tax.

17th Amendment

Establishes the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote rather than state legislatures.

18th Amendment

Prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors.

19th Amendment

Prohibits denying the right to vote based on sex.

20th Amendment

Known as the Lame Duck Amendment; moves presidential inauguration day to January 20 and the start of Congress to January 3.

21st Amendment

Repeals the 18th Amendment, ending federal prohibition of alcohol.

22nd Amendment

Limits the President to two elected terms in office (or a maximum of 10 years).

23rd Amendment

Grants presidential electors to Washington, D.C.

24th Amendment

Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections.

25th Amendment

Outlines procedures for presidential succession, presidential disability, and filling a vacancy in the vice presidency.

26th Amendment

Lowers the voting age to 18 for all elections.

27th Amendment

Prevents laws affecting congressional compensation from taking effect until after the next election of representatives.

5th vs. 14th Amendment Due Process Difference

The 5th Amendment's Due Process Clause applies directly to the federal government, while the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause applies to state governments and serves as the legal basis for selective incorporation.