2024 AP Gov US Constitution Review

Amendments, Articles, the Preamble, Clauses

1st Amendment

Freedom of religion, speech, and peaceful assembly

2nd Amendment

Right to bear arms (OWN GUN!)

3rd Amendment

Right to not house troops/soldiers

4th Amendment

Right to not be searched or have something taken away within reason

5th Amendment

Right to life, liberty, property, and no double jeopardy or self-incrimination

6th Amendment

Right to a speedy trial, a public trial, and with a jury of peers

7th Amendment

Right to a jury trial in a civil case

8th Amendment

Protection from excessive bail, and cruel and unusual punishment

9th Amendment

Citizens entitled to rights not listed in the Constitution

10th Amendment

Rights not given to the federal government are given to the states

11th Amendment

Protects states from law suits

12th Amendment

Creates separate ballots for the president and vice president

13th Amendment

Abolish slavery

14th Amendment

Equal protection under the Constitution for all US citizens

15th Amendment

No racial voting discrimination

16th Amendment

Legalized income tax

17th Amendment

Direct election of senators via popular vote

18th Amendment

Prohibition of alcohol

19th Amendment

Women's voting rights

20th Amendment

Moving of dates for terms of presidency

21st Amendment

Repeal of alcohol prohibition

22nd Amendment

Limits the amount of presidential terms (2)

23rd Amendment

Washington DC has the right to participate in the electoral college voting process for president

24th Amendment

Removes poll taxes

25th Amendment

Succession of the offices of the presidency

26th Amendment

Minimum voting age of 18

27th Amendment

Congress can't get pay raises until the following term

Article I

Legislative Branch

Article II

Executive Branch

Article III

Judicial Branch

Article IV

Relations among states and national government, states give citizens of other states the same rights

Article V

Amending the Constitution

Article VI

Supremacy Clause

Article VII

Ratifying the constitution

The Preamble

Establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, secure the blessings of liberty

Bill of Attainder Clause

Congress cannot pass a law that singles out a person for punishment without trial

Commerce Clause

Congress can regulate interstate and international commerce

Contracts Clause

No state can interfere with the execution of contracts

Due Process Clause (5th)

National governments must observe fair procedures when they deny a person life, liberty, or property.

Due Process Clause (14th)

State governments must observe fair procedures when they deny a person life, liberty, or property.

Elastic Clause / Necessary and Proper Clause

Congress can exercise powers not specifically stated in the Constitution if those powers are "necessary and proper" for carrying out its expressed powers

Equal Protection Clause

States cannot unreasonably discriminate against individuals. They must treat people "equally."

Establishment Clause

Congress cannot establish an "official" religion. This provides for separation of church and state.

Ex Post Facto Clause

Congress cannot pass a law that punishes a person after the fact. A person cannot be punished for something he/she did that was not a crime at the time.

Extradition Clause

An accused person who flees to another state must be returned to the state in which they allegedly committed the crime

Free Exercise Clause

Congress cannot pass laws that ban freedom of worship (religion)

Full Faith and Credit Clause

A state must recognize the validity of the public acts, records, and court decisions of other states

Takings Clause

Government can take private property for a public purpose, but it must provide fair compensation to the owners of that property