The Constitution of the United States

Flashcards covering key concepts from the U.S. Constitution lecture notes.

Supremacy Clause

Deals with Article VI: the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution.

Article I

Deals with the Legislative Branch (Congress).

Article II

Deals with the Executive Branch (The President).

Article III

Deals with the Judicial Branch (The Judiciary).

Commerce Clause

Grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes.

Life Tenure Clause

Federal judges hold their offices during good behavior, which typically means for life.

Necessary & Proper Clause

Gives Congress the power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers.

Original vs. Appellate Jurisdiction

Original jurisdiction is the power to hear a case for the first time, while appellate jurisdiction is the power to review a lower court's decision.

Declare War Clause

Grants Congress the power to declare war.

Right to Tax and Coin Money

Enumerated power granted to Congress.

Impeachment

Process by which a legislative body formally levels charges against a high official of government.

Electoral College

A body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.

Commander-in-Chief

The President's role as the supreme commander of the armed forces.

Treaty-Making Power

The President has the power to make treaties with other nations, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Appointment Clause

Grants the President the power to appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States.

Jurisdiction in Impeachment

The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeachment, while the Senate has the sole power to try all impeachments.

Trial of All Crimes…

Except in cases of impeachment, the trial of all crimes shall be by jury.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Requires states to respect the laws and judicial decisions of other states.

Article V

Describes the method for amending the Constitution.

State of the Union Address

An annual message delivered by the President to a joint session of Congress.

Pardon Clause

Grants the President the power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States.

First Amendment

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

Second Amendment

Guarantees the right to bear arms.

Fourth Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Fifth Amendment

Guarantees due process, protects against self-incrimination and double jeopardy.

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees the right to a fair and speedy trial, an impartial jury, and counsel.

Tenth Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

Thirteenth Amendment

Abolishes slavery.

Fourteenth Amendment

Guarantees citizenship upon birth.

Fifteenth Amendment

Grants all races the right to vote.

Nineteenth Amendment

Grants women the right to vote.

Twenty-Second Amendment

Limits presidents to two terms in office.

Twenty-Fourth Amendment

Abolishes poll taxes.

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Deals with presidential succession.

Twenty-Sixth Amendment

Lowers the voting age to 18.