AP Gov Unit 1 - Key Articles, Amendments, and Documents

Declaration of Independence

Document asserting inalienable rights and justifying revolution against oppressive governments.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the U.S., creating a weak central government.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution guaranteeing individual liberties.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Case that established judicial review, empowering the judiciary to overturn unconstitutional laws.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Affirmed federal supremacy and the use of implied powers under the Elastic Clause.

Schenck v. US (1919)

Established the 'clear and present danger' test, limiting free speech during wartime.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Declared racially segregated schools unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause.

Baker v. Carr (1961)

Enabled federal courts to intervene in state legislative apportionment cases.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Prohibited school-sponsored prayer, reinforcing the separation of church and state.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Guaranteed the right to legal counsel in criminal cases, even for those unable to afford an attorney.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Protected student free speech in schools, allowing symbolic speech as long as it does not disrupt.

New York Times Co. v. US (1971)

Strengthened freedom of the press, ruling that prior restraint is unconstitutional.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Legalized abortion by recognizing a woman's right to privacy in terminating her pregnancy.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Limited federal power under the Commerce Clause regarding non-economic activities.

Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)

Allows Congress to pass laws necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.

1st Amendment

Freedom of Religion, Speech, of the Press, Assembly, and Petition

2nd Amendment

Protects the people's right to bear arms

3rd Amendment

No soldier can be quartered in a home without the permission of the owner

4th Amendment

Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and sets out requirements for search warrants based on probable cause

5th Amendment

Protects rights of due process and the right to remain silent, double jeopardy

6th Amendment

The right to a fair and speedy trial by a jury of one's peers; to have witnesses and to give a defense

7th Amendment

The right to a trial by jury in civil cases for amounts of $20 or more

8th Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments

9th Amendment

People have other rights not specifically stated in the Constitution

10th Amendment

Gives all powers not specifically given to the United States government in the Constitution, to either the states or to the people

11th Amendment

Determines when and if a state can be sued; states cannot be sued by people from other states or by foreigners

12th Amendment

The Electoral College must vote for the President and the Vice President separately

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude

14th Amendment

Makes anyone born on US soil a citizen and guarantees equal protection under the law

15th Amendment

Gave all men the right to vote regardless of race or color or whether they had been slaves

16th Amendment

Created an income tax and gave the Federal government the power to collect it

17th Amendment

Creates the direct election by the people of Senators

18th Amendment

Prohibition of the drinking, manufacture, and sale of alcohol

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote

20th Amendment

changes date for new congressional term and moved inauguration date to January 20th

21st Amendment

Repealed the 18th amendment (prohibition)

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms in office

23rd Amendment

Gave Washington, D.C. representatives in the electoral college so that citizens of D.C. could participate in the electoral process, even though it is not an official state

24th Amendment

Prohibited the poll tax/ making people pay a fee to vote

25th Amendment

Explains what happens when the President dies or is unable to continue in office (Succession)

26th Amendment

Sets the national voting age at 18, cannot be set any higher

27th Amendment

Any changes in Congressional salaries (raises) will not apply to current congress and will take place after the next term starts/ next election

Article 1

The Congress consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate: qualifications, powers, duties, terms of office, regulations, rules, privileges, relationships to states

Article 2

The Presidency: term, qualifications, duties, powers

Article 3

The creation of the judicial system and the Supreme Court: qualifications, jurisdictions, powers.

Establishes trial by jury

Article 4

The sanctity of the individual states: full faith and credit clause; rights of citizens, relationship between the states, admission of new states, and protection from the government

Article 5

How the Constitution may be amended (proposed by 2/3 both houses or states; ratified by 3/4 states.)

Article 6

Declares the Constitution the Supreme Law of the land (supremacy clause)

Article 7

Original requirements for ratification (9 states)

Preamble

le, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union

Brutus 1

Constitution would create a large tyrannus republic by concentrating power, suppressing liberty, and failing to represent the people.

Key Claims of Brutus 1

Large territory cannot have a free republic, necessary and proper and supremacy clause gives Congress unlimited power, and the government would be too far from the citizens, leading to unchecked corruption

Federalist 70

Single president is essential for an effective government, compared to a plural executive which would lead to lack of accountability and inefficiency.

Key Claims of Federalist 70

Unitary executive can act decisively, especially in emergencies, whereas shared power leads to indecision and confusion. A single leader provides clear responsibility, making it easier for the public to hold someone accountable for government actions or failures

Federalist 51

Since human nature is imperfect, political power must be divided among different branches of government, as outlined in the Constitution. The best way to protect liberty is through a system of checks and balances and the separation of powers.

Key Claims of Federalist 51

This structure, combined with a large republic with many diverse interests, prevents any single group from becoming too powerful and ensures that the government serves the people and protects against the tyranny of the majority.

Federalist 78

The judiciary is the “least dangerous” branch and Hamilton advocates for an independent judiciary with a lifetime appointment during “good behavior”. 

Federalist 78 Key Claims

Establishes concept of judicial review, asserting that courts have the power and duty to declare any law or action contrary to the Constitution void, protecting constitutional rights and principles from legislative overreach