AP Gov Amendments + Clauses +Required Papers

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress power to regulate trade between states, with foreign nations, and Native tribes.

Due Process Clause

Protects against deprivation of life, liberty, or property without fair legal procedures.

Elastic Clause

Allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

Equal Protection Clause

Requires states to treat individuals equally under the law.

Establishment Clause

Prohibits government from establishing or favoring a religion.

Extradition Clause

Requires states to return fugitives to the state where the crime was committed.

Free Exercise Clause

Protects individuals' right to practice religion freely.

Full Faith & Credit Clause

Requires states to honor public acts, records, and judicial rulings of other states.

Privileges & Immunities Clause

Prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states.

Reserved Powers (10th Amendment)

Powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes the Constitution and federal laws as the supreme law of the land.

Tax and Spend Clause

Gives Congress power to collect taxes and spend for the general welfare.

Articles of Confederation

Weak central government; states held too much power.

Brutus 1

Constitution gives too much power to federal government.

Declaration of Independence

Grievances, Independence, Rights.

Federalist 10

Factions are dangerous and unavoidable.

Federalist 51

Checks & balances protect liberty.

Federalist 70

Wants a single, energetic executive to ensure effective government.

Federalist 78

Supreme Court.

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

Nonviolent civil disobedience is a moral duty in the face of unjust laws, and waiting for justice only perpetuates injustice.

1st Amendment

Freedom of speech

2nd Amendment

Bear arms

3rd Amendment

No quartering troops

4th Amendment

No unreasonable searches or seizures

5th Amendment

Due process

6th Amendment

Right to a speedy and public trial

7th Amendment

Civil trial

8th Amendment

No excessive bail

9th Amendment

The rights of the people

10th Amendment

The rights of the states

11th Amendment

Lawsuits against states

12th Amendment

Election of president + VP

13th Amendment

Ended slavery

14th Amendment

All people born in the U.S. are citizens and are guaranteed the protection of the laws

15th Amendment

Male suffrage, specifically African Americans

16th Amendment

Allows for federal government to collect income taxes

17th Amendment

Senators are directly elected by the people

18th Amendment

Banned alcohol

19th Amendment

Women's right to vote

20th Amendment

Changed inauguration from March 3rd to January 20th

21st Amendment

Repealed the 18th Amendment

22nd Amendment

2 full terms maxed out at 10 yrs

23rd Amendment

D.C. gets 3 electoral votes

24th Amendment

No poll taxes

25th Amendment

Presidential succession

26th Amendment

18-year-olds can vote

27th Amendment

Congressional pay increases

Articles of Confederation

Weak central government; states held too much power.

Brutus 1

Constitution gives too much power to federal government.

Declaration of Independence

Grievances, Independence, Rights.

Federalist 10

Factions are dangerous and unavoidable.

Federalist 51

Checks & balances protect liberty.

Federalist 70

Wants a single, energetic executive to ensure effective government.

Federalist 78

Supreme Court.

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

Nonviolent civil disobedience is a moral duty in the face of unjust laws, and waiting for justice only perpetuates injustice.