U.S. Government and AP Exam Review

Flashcards covering the Articles of Confederation, the Bill of Rights, critical Amendments, constitutional clauses, landmark Supreme Court cases, and core political terms for AP-level review.

Articles of Confederation

America's first government (1781-1789) characterized by a weak national government and strong states, featuring no president and no national court system.

Constitutional Convention (1787)

A meeting led by the failure of the Articles of Confederation due to no money, no army control, and states acting like separate countries.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 Amendments added to the Constitution to protect individual freedoms.

1st Amendment

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

2nd Amendment

Protects the right of citizens to bear arms.

4th Amendment (Note: labeled 3 in notes)

Protects against unreasonable searches and requires warrants.

5th Amendment (Note: labeled 4 in notes)

Guarantees due process and protects against self-incrimination.

6th Amendment (Note: labeled 5 in notes)

Guarantees the right to a speedy trial.

8th Amendment (Note: labeled 6 in notes)

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

10th Amendment (Note: labeled 7 in notes)

States that powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery.

14th Amendment

Very important amendment providing equal protection and due process; frequently used in court cases.

15th Amendment

Established that Black men can vote.

17th Amendment

Established the direct election of senators.

19th Amendment

Established that women can vote.

22nd Amendment

Limits the President to a maximum of 2 terms.

24th Amendment

Prohibits the use of poll taxes.

26th Amendment

Sets the voting age at 18.

PAC (Political Action Committee)

An organization that collects campaign contributions from members and donates those funds to campaigns for or against candidates.

Super PAC

An organization capable of unlimited spending on political activity with no direct coordination with candidates.

Commerce Clause

Constitutional clause stating that Congress regulates interstate trade.

Necessary & Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Allows Congress to do what is "needed" to carry out its powers.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that federal law is superior to state law.

Full Faith & Credit Clause

Requires that states respect each other's laws.

Privileges & Immunities Clause

Prohibits discrimination against citizens of other states.

Establishment Clause

States that there can be no official government religion.

Free Exercise Clause

Guarantees that you can practice your religion.

Marbury v. Madison

Supreme Court case that established judicial review, allowing courts to strike down laws.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Supreme Court case establishing federal power over state power using the elastic clause.

Gibbons v. Ogden

Supreme Court case establishing that Congress controls interstate commerce.

Brown v. Board of Education

Supreme Court case ruling that segregation in schools is unconstitutional.

Roe v. Wade

Supreme Court case regarding the right to privacy and abortion (noted as later overturned but conceptually tested).

Citizens United v. FEC

Supreme Court case allowing unlimited independent political spending, which ties to Super PACS.

Federalism

A system where power is shared between national and state governments.

Separation of powers

The division of government into 3 separate branches.

Checks and balances

The system where branches of government limit each other's powers.

Popular sovereignty

The concept that the people hold the power.

Judicial review

The power of the courts to interpret laws.

Political socialization

The process of how political beliefs form.

Filibuster

A delay tactic used specifically in the Senate.

Cloture

The procedure that ends a filibuster.

Gerrymandering

The redrawing of districts for a political advantage.

Bureaucracy

Federal agencies that implement laws.