AP Government: Articles, Clauses, and Amendments

Commerce Clause (Article 1, Section 8)

congress can regulate trade between nations, between states, and among Native American Tribes

Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)

statement in the US Constitution (Article 1, Section 😎 granting congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers

Full Faith and Credit Clause (Article 4)

a state must recognize the validity of the public acts, records, and court decisions of other states (being able to use a drivers license in another state)

Supremacy Clause (Article 6)

establishes the constitution as the supreme law of the land

Free Exercise Clause (1st Amendment)

congress cannot pass laws to ban freedom of religious practices

Establishment Clause (1st Amendment)

Congress cannot establish an “official” religion; provides separation of church and state

Federal Due Process (bound by 5th amendment)

federal government cannot deny due process; no deprivation of natural rights without due process; property cannot be taken for public use without compensation

privileges and immunities clause

prevents a state from treating citizens of other states in a discriminatory manner

state due process

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws

equal protection clause

constitutional guarantee that everyone be treated equally (14th amendment)

Article 1

Legislative branch

Article 2

executive branch

Article 3

judicial branch

article 4

state relations

article 5

amendment process

article 6

national supremacy

Article 7

ratification

1st amendment

freedom of religion, speech, of the press, assembly, and petition

2nd amendment

protects the people’s right to bear arms

3rd amendment

no soldier can be quartered in a home without the permission of the owner

4th amendment

prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and sets out requirements for search warrants based on probable cause

5th amendment

protects rights of due process and the right to remain silent (“plead the 5th”), double jeopardy

6th amendment

right to a fair and speedy trial by a jury of one’s peers; to have witnesses and to give a defense

7th amendment

right to a trial by jury in civil cases for amounts of $20 or more

8th amendment

prohibits excessive bail; excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments

9th amendment

people have other rights not specifically stated in the constitution

10th amendment

gives all powers not specifically given to the US government in the constitution

11th amendment

determines when and if a state can be sued; states cannot be sued by people from other states or by foreigners

12th amendment

electoral college must vote for the president and vice president seperately

13th amendment

abolished slavery and involuntary servitude

14th amendment

makes anyone born on US soil a citizen and guarantees equal protection under the law

15th amendment

gave all men the right to vote regardless of race or color or history of slavery

16th amendment

created income tax and gave federal government the power to collect it

17th amendment

creates the direct election by the people of senators

18th amendment

prohibition

19th

women’s suffrage

20th amendment

gives details on terms of office for president; shortens period between election and inauguration

21st amendment

repeals prohibition

22nd amendment

limits president to two terms or 10 years

23rd amendment

gave Washington DC representatives in the electoral college, so that citizens of DC could participate in the electoral process even though it is not a state

24th amendment

prohibited poll tax

25th amendment

explains what happens when the president dies or is unable to continue in office (succession)

26th amendment

sets voting age to 18 (and no higher…)

27th amendment

any changes in congressional salaries will not take effects until after the next term starts