Unit 3 Vocab - AP Gov

Bill of rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, designed to protect individual liberties and limit government power.

Civil Liberties

Constitutional protections against government actions that restrict or infringe on freedoms such as speech, religion, and due process.

Civil Rights

s from discrimination, ensuring equal treatment under the law; typically linked to the Equal Protection Clause.

Establishment Clause

Prohibits government establishment of religion or favoring one religion over another.

Symbolic Speech

Nonverbal expression protected by the First Amendment

Prior Restraint

Government action preventing publication before it occurs; generally considered unconstitutional.

Selective Incorporation

The case-by-case process by which the Supreme Court applies specific protections from the Bill of Rights to the states through the 14th Amendment.

Procedural Due Process

The consistent and predictable methods by which laws are enforced, ensuring fairness in legal proceedings before depriving an individual of life, liberty, or property.

Exclusionary Rule

Prevents evidence obtained illegally from being used in court

Miranda Warning

Requires law enforcement to inform suspects of their rights before questioning.

Substantive Due Process

Examination of whether the law is “fair in content,” seeking to ensure laws do not infringe on fundamental rights without a compelling interest and narrowly tailored laws.

Affirmative Action

Policies designed to address past discrimination by promoting opportunities and advantages for historically disadvantaged groups.

1st Amendment

Part of the Bill of Rights, it guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition.

2nd amendment

The amendment to the U.S. Constitution that protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms.

3rd amendment

Prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes without the owner's consent during peacetime.

4th amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring a warrant based on probable cause.

5th Amendment

Part of the Bill of Rights, it protects against self-incrimination and double jeopardy, and ensures due process of law.

6th amendment

Part of the Bill of Rights, it guarantees the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a speedy trial, an impartial jury, and the right to counsel.

7th amendment

Part of the Bill of Rights, it guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil cases involving disputes greater than twenty dollars.

8th amendment

Part of the Bill of Rights, it prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments.

9th amendment

Part of the Bill of Rights, it states that the enumeration of specific rights in the Constitution does not deny the existence of other rights retained by the people.

10th amendment

Part of the Bill of Rights that states powers not delegated to the federal government nor prohibited to the states are reserved to the states or the people.

11th amendment

Limits the ability of individuals to sue states in federal court, establishing state sovereign immunity.

12th amendment

Revised the presidential election process, requiring electors to cast separate votes for President and Vice President.

13th amendment

Part of the U.S. Constitution that abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.

14th amendment

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States and guarantees equal protection under the laws.

15th amendment

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on 'race, color, or previous condition of servitude.'

16th amendment

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that allows the federal government to impose an income tax.

17th amendment

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that established the direct election of U.S. Senators by the voters of the states, rather than being elected by state legislatures.

18th amendment

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages in the United States, leading to Prohibition.

19th amendment

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that grants women the right to vote, prohibiting any United States citizen from being denied the right to vote on the basis of sex.

20th amendment

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that shortened the time between election day and the start of presidential and congressional terms, establishing January 20 as the inauguration date for the President.

21st amendment

Repeals the 18th Amendment, ending Prohibition

22nd amendment

president run for two terms max

23rd amendment

Grants Washington, D.C. electoral votes in presidential elections

24th amendment

Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections

25th amendment

Establishes presidential succession and procedures for handling presidential disability.

26th amendment

Lowers the voting age from 21 to 18.

27th amendment

Delays congressional pay raises until after the next election.