AP GOV REVISED

Preamble Purpose

Outlines the core beliefs and basic presence of American government, such as promoting peace, health, and freedom.

Article I

Creates the Legislative Branch, establishes Congress (House and Senate), gives power to tax, and contains the Necessary & Proper and Commerce clauses.

Article II

Creates the Executive Branch, outlines presidential powers (like Commander in Chief and pardons), and establishes the Electoral College.

Article III

Creates the Judicial Branch, establishes the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, and defines treason.

Article IV

Contains the Full Faith and Credit Clause and regulates state relations, extradition, territories, admitting new states, and the Guarantee Clause

Article V

Establishes the amendment process for the Constitution.

Article VI

Contains the Supremacy Clause, establishing federal law as superior to state law.

Powers Denied to Congress

Cannot grant titles of nobility, members cannot hold other federal positions, and cannot pass ex post facto laws.

House of Representatives Eligibility

Must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years, and live in the state represented.

Senate Eligibility

Must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years, and live in the state represented.

Presidential Eligibility

Must be a natural-born U.S. citizen, at least 35 years old, and a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years.

Expressed Powers of the President

Commander in Chief of the armed forces and the power to pardon federal crimes.

Expressed Powers of Congress

Power to set taxes and tariffs, and to declare war.

Executive Check on Legislative

The president can veto bills passed by Congress and issue executive orders.

Executive Check on Judicial

The president can nominate federal and Supreme Court justices and grant pardons.

Legislative Check on Executive

Congress can impeach and convict the president and override presidential vetoes.

Legislative Check on Judicial

Congress can propose constitutional amendments, structure the federal courts, and confirm justice nominees.

Judicial Check on Legislative

Judicial review allows federal courts to examine laws and declare them unconstitutional.

Judicial Check on Executive

The Chief Justice presides over presidential impeachment trials, and SCOTUS can issue injunctions against executive orders.

SCOTUS Original Jurisdiction

Lawsuits involving ambassadors, public ministers, consuls, or where a state is a party.

Power to Declare War

Vested in Congress (Article I).

Presidential War Powers

Serves as Commander in Chief; the War Powers Resolution allows troops to be sent abroad for up to 90 days.

Commerce Clause

Located in Article I; allows Congress to regulate commerce between states and with foreign nations.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Located in Article I; gives Congress implied powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution.

Supremacy Clause

Located in Article VI; establishes that federal laws override conflicting state laws.

Habeas Corpus

Located in Article I; the right of a detained person to challenge their imprisonment in court.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Located in Article IV; requires states to honor the laws and court rulings of other states.

Due Process

Found in the 5th and 14th Amendments; requires fair treatment, notice of charges, a trial, and protects life, liberty, or property.

Equal Protection Clause

Found in the 14th Amendment; mandates that everyone must be treated equally by the government.

First Amendment

Protects freedom of speech, press, assembly, petition, and religion.

Second Amendment

Protects the right to keep and bear arms.

Third Amendment

Prevents the quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent.

Fourth Amendment

Provides protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Fifth Amendment

Includes rights to a grand jury, protection against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, due process, and eminent domain.

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, right to counsel, and confrontation of witnesses.

Seventh Amendment

Provides the right to a jury trial in civil cases at the federal level.

Eighth Amendment

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

Ninth Amendment

Protects unenumerated rights retained by the people.

Twelfth Amendment

Changes the Electoral College so the president and vice president are voted for separately.

Thirteenth Amendment

Abolishes slavery in the United States.

Fourteenth Amendment

Establishes citizenship for those born/naturalized, due process, and equal protection under state laws.

Fifteenth Amendment

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

Seventeenth Amendment

Establishes the direct election of U.S. Senators by the general public.

Eighteenth Amendment

Established the prohibition of alcohol.

Nineteenth Amendment

Guarantees women the right to vote.

Twenty-Second Amendment

Limits a president to a maximum of two terms in office.

Twenty-Third Amendment

Grants citizens of Washington D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections.

Twenty-Fourth Amendment

Prohibits the use of poll taxes in federal elections.

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Clarifies presidential and vice-presidential succession and disability procedures.

Twenty-Sixth Amendment

Lowers the national voting age to 18 years old.

Twenty-Seventh Amendment

Stipulates that any pay raises for members of Congress cannot take effect until an intervening election has occurred.

Article VII

Requires ratification of the Constitution by 9 states