AP US Government & Politics – Summer Assignment 2025 (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering the structure of the Constitution, key amendments, clauses, and foundational concepts from the notes.

Constitution

The supreme law of the United States that outlines the structure of government, its powers, and the rights of citizens.

Article I

Creates the Legislative Branch and its powers, including making laws, declaring war, and regulating commerce.

Article II

Creates the Executive Branch; enforces laws and conducts foreign policy, including treaties.

Article III

Creates the Judicial Branch; interprets laws and resolves constitutional issues.

Article IV

Explains state powers, relationships among states, and federal over state authority.

Article V

Describes how the Constitution can be amended.

Article VI

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land.

Article VII

Outlines the procedure to ratify the Constitution.

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch can limit the powers of the other branches to prevent tyranny.

Separation of Powers

Division of government powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Federalism

Division of power between national (federal) and state governments.

RAPPS (First Amendment acronym)

Religious freedom, Assembly, Press, Petition, and Speech protections.

First Amendment

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

Second Amendment

Right to keep and bear arms.

Third Amendment

No quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent.

Fourth Amendment

Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Fifth Amendment

Due process, protection against self-incrimination, and protection against double jeopardy.

Sixth Amendment

Right to a speedy, public trial and to counsel.

Seventh Amendment

Right to a jury trial in civil cases.

Eighth Amendment

No cruel or unusual punishment or excessive bail.

Ninth Amendment

People retain rights beyond those listed in the Constitution.

Tenth Amendment

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

Eleventh Amendment

Limits lawsuits against states.

Twelfth Amendment

Separates electoral votes for president and vice president (electoral process changes).

Thirteenth Amendment

Abolishes slavery.

Fourteenth Amendment

Citizenship, equal protection, and due process under the law.

Fifteenth Amendment

Voting rights cannot be denied based on race (racial equality in suffrage).

Sixteenth Amendment

Imposes a federal income tax.

Seventeenth Amendment

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

Eighteenth Amendment

Prohibition of alcohol (repealed later by the 21st Amendment).

Nineteenth Amendment

Women’s right to vote.

Twentieth Amendment

Changes dates for presidential and congressional terms.

Twenty-First Amendment

Repeals Prohibition.

Twenty-Second Amendment

Two-term limit for the presidency.

Twenty-Third Amendment

DC residents receive electoral votes in presidential elections.

Twenty-Fourth Amendment

No poll taxes in federal elections.

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Presidential succession and disability procedure.

Twenty-Sixth Amendment

Voting age lowered to 18.

Twenty-Seventh Amendment

Congressional pay raises take effect after the next election.

Civil War Amendments (13–15)

Goals: abolish slavery (13th), guarantee citizenship and due process/equal protection (14th), and protect voting rights (15th).

Elastic/Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to pass laws needed to exercise its enumerated powers.

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress power to regulate trade between states and with other nations.

Full Faith & Credit Clause

States must respect the laws, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

Supremacy Clause

The Constitution and federal law are the supreme law of the land, over state laws.

General Welfare Clause

Gives Congress the power to tax and spend for the nation’s benefit and general welfare.

Establishment Clause

Prohibits an official religion and supports separation of church and state.

Free Exercise Clause

Protects the right to practice one’s religion freely (within limits).

Free Speech Clause

Protects freedom of speech and expression.

Due Process Clause (5th & 14th Amend.)

Requires fair legal procedures to protect individual rights.

Equal Protection Clause

States must treat all people equally under the law and prevent discrimination.