US Constitution Study Guide

A series of flashcards covering key concepts related to the US Constitution, its articles, powers, processes, amendments, and the structure of government.

Article I

Vests legislative power in the legislative branch of government.

Legislative power

The authority to make laws.

House of Representatives

The chamber of Congress composed of members elected to represent the people.

Senator requirements

Must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years, and a resident of the state they represent.

Impeachment

The process by which federal officials are charged with misconduct.

Majority vote

More than half of the votes cast; needed for a bill to pass in Congress.

Enumerated powers

Powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Implied powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but inferred from the elastic clause.

Habeas Corpus

A legal principle that protects against unlawful detention.

Ex Post Facto Law

A law that makes an act retroactively illegal.

Executive power

The authority to execute laws and govern.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the Constitution to elect the president.

Supreme Court Justice term

Supreme Court justices serve for life, unless they resign, retire, or are removed.

Federal Courts

Courts established to deal with federal law and disputes involving the federal government.

Public acts, records, and judicial proceedings

States must respect the laws and decisions of other states.

Amendments process

Constitutional amendments can be proposed by Congress or a constitutional convention.

First Amendment protections

Guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition.

Fifth Amendment rights

Includes rights related to due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and eminent domain.

Thirteenth Amendment

Prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude.

Fourteenth Amendment

Grants citizenship and equal protection under the law.

Twenty-second Amendment

Limits the president to two terms in office.

Voting rights

Protected under the Fifteenth, Nineteenth, Twenty-third, Twenty-fourth, and Twenty-sixth Amendments.

Twenty-seventh Amendment

Addresses congressional pay changes, ratified in 1992.