Constitution AP gov info

Articles, amendments and extra

Article I

Talks about the congress which is made up of the senate and the house of representatives. All tax bills start in the house, and then pass to the president who either signs it or sends it back. Congress has the power to tax, regulate trade, coin money, declare war, maintain armed forces, and make laws necessary to carry out its duties.

Article II

sec 1: Focuses on the president, the way they get their power, the rules that are needed in order to be president. As well as what to do when the president or vice president can not perform their job for any reason.

sec 2:  They can command the army, have the power to reprieve and give pardons. Has the power to make treaties, appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and supreme judges.

sec 3: The president must periodically deliver a State of the Union address and ensure that laws are faithfully executed.

Article III

sec 1: the judicial branch will get one supreme court, as well as inferior courts.

sec 2: the judicial power shall extend to all cases of the constitution, affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, disputes between two or more states, people state and people,  and subjects.

sec 3: Treason against the US leads to declaration of war against them.

Article IV

sec 1: full faith and credit shall be given to the state to the public acts, records, and judicial procedure. 

sec 2: the citizen of one state is entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.

sec 3: New states may join a union however no new state can be created from another state or from combining states.

Article V

If ⅔ of the houses deem it necessary, there will be amendments to the constitution.

Article VI

All debts contracted and engagements shall be entered into and be valid to the constitution of the US. All laws and the constitution shall be the law of the land.

Article VII

The ratification of the convention of the 9 states, is sufficient to establish the constitution. The names are listed with their states as well.

1 amendment

Freedom of speech, religion, press, and to peacefully assemble and protest.

2 amendment

right to bear arms

3 amendment

Soliders can not take home during tie of peace

4 amendment

Protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures without a warrant, or without probable cause.

5 amendment

Protects against self-incrimination, forbids double jeopardy, ensures due process of law

6 amendment

the right to a speedy prublic trial, as well as, impartial jury, in the state of the crime, be told of the nature of the crime, confornted by witness, have witness for himself, and Assistance of Counsel as defense.

7 Amendment

the right to be trial by jury, no fact tried by jury shall be re-examined.

8 amendment

No unusual or cruel punishment, excessive fines.

9 amendment

 There are rights that are not specified in the constitution. 

10 amendment

The government of the US only has the power written in the constitution, the states and the people have their own.

11 amendment

you can’t sue another state or foreign country without being affiliated to that location.

12 amendment

Revises presidential election procedures, separating the vote for president and vice president.

13 amendment

Neither slavery or involuntary servitude shall exist in the US unless punishment for a crime. 

Congress has the power to enforce this.

14 amendment

All people born or naturalized in the US are citizens of the US and of that state. No state can deprive a person by law of their privilege or immunities of citizenship. Nor a person of life, liberty, or property without due process. 

Representation in congress depends on how mnay people live in a state.

The US will pay debts of pensions, bounties, and the costs to put down rebellions.

15 amendment

prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen's "race, color, or previous condition of servitude".

16 amendment

The congress has the power to collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States or census.

17 amendment

The senators are elected by the people of the state for 6 terms, each senator gets one vote to the senate. Voters must reach the same requirements for those who vote for the largest branch of their state legislator. If a senator leaves office the governor must call an election.

18 amendment

No one will be allowed to sell, drink or make liquor in the US. Congress and states have the power to enforce it.

19 amendment

The right for citizens of the US to vote no matter sex.

20 amendment

Sets the start and ends of the president and VP held in office. Start on January 20th, congress starts on 3rd of january

21 amendment

This one repeals the 18th amendment

22 amendment

The President can only hold office twice, however this will not impact the person holding office right as this article passes.

23 amendment

DC has electoral votes, it can choose electors. Getting the same number of electoral votes if it were a state.

24 amendment

The citizens have the right to vote in the primary, electors, and or senators, they will not be denied or abridged by the US or state in failure to pay poll tax or other tax.

25 amendment

The VP will take the position of president if something were to happen to the president.

26 amendment

At the age of 18, citizens are allowed to vote. They will not be denied the right to vote because of age.

27 amendment

Congress can’t give itself a raise until the next election of the House of Representatives.

Full faith & credit clause

The courts states laws will respect the judgement and rulings over courts from other states.

Commerce clause

Congress has the power to regulate trade and business across foreign nations, between US states, and Native American tribes.

Supremacy clause

Allows the US federal government to enforce treaties, create central banks and enact legislation without needing to talk with the state.

Necessary and proper clause (elastic clause)

Congress has the power to make laws that aren’t exactly in the  constitution if it helps carry out enumerated power.

General welfare clause

Congress can raise and spend money to protect and secure the country as a whole.

Establishment clause

Congress will make no law or show any support to one religion. It may stay neutral when it comes to religion.

Free-exercise clause

Can not put a law that goes against the free expression of religion.

Free-speech clause

This prevents the congress from infringing on a person's right of free speech.

Due process clause

The government can’t jail you, punish you or take your property without fair legal process.

Equal protection clause

The state can not deny a person the equal protection of the law.