AP Government Documents

What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Weak central government, inability to tax or regulate trade, no executive or judicial branches.

What did the Declaration of Independence assert?

Colonies' right to self-governance, equality, unalienable rights.

What were the concerns raised in Brutus 1?

Power of federal government, erosion of state sovereignty, individual liberties.

What did MLK advocate for in his Letter from a Birmingham Jail?

Nonviolent civil disobedience, combat racial injustice.

What does the Constitution outline?

Structure and powers of federal government, separation of powers, federal system.

What does Federalist 10 discuss?

Problem of factions, benefits of a large, diverse republic.

What does Federalist 51 emphasize?

Checks and balances, separation of powers between branches.

What does Federalist 70 advocate for?

Strong, energetic executive branch, single president.

What does Federalist 78 discuss?

Role of judiciary, judicial independence, power of judicial review.

What does the 1st Amendment guarantee?

Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

What does the 2nd Amendment protect?

The right to bear arms.

What does the 3rd Amendment prohibit?

Quartering of soldiers in private homes during peacetime.

What does the 4th Amendment protect against?

Unreasonable searches and seizures, requires search warrants.

What does the 5th Amendment ensure?

Due process of law, protection against self-incrimination, protection against double jeopardy.

What does the 6th Amendment guarantee?

Right to a fair and speedy trial, including the right to legal counsel.

What does the 7th Amendment preserve?

Right to a jury trial in civil cases.

What does the 8th Amendment prohibit?

Cruel and unusual punishment, excessive bail or fines.

What does the 9th Amendment affirm?

Rights not mentioned in the Constitution are retained by the people.

What does the 10th Amendment reserve?

Powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

What does the 11th Amendment limit?

Lawsuits against states by citizens of other states.

What does the 12th Amendment change?

Procedure for electing the President and Vice President.

What does the 13th Amendment abolish?

Slavery in the United States.

What does the 14th Amendment define?

Citizenship, guarantees equal protection under the law, prohibits states from depriving individuals of life, liberty, or property without due process.

What does the 15th Amendment prohibit?

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

What does the 16th Amendment grant?

Congress the power to levy income taxes.

What does the 17th Amendment establish?

Direct election of U.S. Senators by the people of each state.

What does the 18th Amendment prohibit?

Manufacture, sale, or transportation of alcoholic beverages.

What does the 19th Amendment grant?

Women the right to vote.

What does the 20th Amendment set?

Dates for the inauguration of the President and the start of congressional terms.

What does the 21st Amendment do?

Repeals the 18th Amendment, ending Prohibition (1933).

What does the 22nd Amendment do?

Limits the President to two terms in office (1951).

What does the 23rd Amendment do?

Grants the residents of Washington, D.C., the right to vote in presidential elections (1961).

What does the 24th Amendment do?

Prohibits the use of poll taxes in federal elections (1964).

What does the 25th Amendment do?

Outlines the presidential line of succession and procedures for presidential disability (1967).

What does the 26th Amendment do?

Lowers the voting age to 18 (1971).

What does the 27th Amendment do?

Prevents changes in congressional pay from taking effect until the next term (1992).

What does Article I establish?

Legislative branch of federal government

What does Article II establish?

Executive branch of federal government

What does Article III establish?

Judicial branch of federal government

What does Article IV address?

Relationships between states and federal government

What does Article V describe?

Process for amending the Constitution

What does Article VI establish?

Supremacy of Constitution, federal laws, and treaties

What does Article VII contain?

Procedure for ratifying the Constitution

What is the legislative branch composed of?

House of Representatives and Senate

What is the executive branch composed of?

President and Vice President

What is the judicial branch composed of?

Supreme Court and other federal courts

What does Article IV recognize?

State laws and process for admitting new states

What is the Commerce Clause?

Grants Congress authority to regulate commerce among states.

Where is the Commerce Clause found?

Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the Constitution.

What is the Elastic Clause?

Grants Congress power to make laws necessary and proper.

Where is the Elastic Clause found?

Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution.

What does the Elastic Clause provide Congress with?

Flexibility and adaptability to changing circumstances.

Where is the Amendment Process outlined?

Article V of the Constitution.

How can an amendment be proposed?

Two-thirds majority vote in Congress or national constitutional convention.

How is an amendment ratified?

By three-fourths of state legislatures or state ratifying conventions.

What is the significance of the Commerce Clause?

Shaped federal authority over economic and commercial activities.

What is the significance of the Elastic Clause?

Allows Congress to enact laws not explicitly listed in the Constitution.