Constitutional Vocabulary

AP US Government Summer Work

Separation of Powers

Found in: Articles I, II, and III

Definition: Separation of government responsibilities into different branches (prevents concentration of power)

Example: Congress passes laws, the president enforces them, and the Supreme Court may declare them unconstitutional

Checks and Balances

Found in: Article I, Section 7

Definition: A System that allows branches of government to veto acts and make amendments to balance power

Example: The president can veto a law passed by congress

Bicameralism

Found in: Article I, Section 1

Definition: A Legislature having two separate chambers

Example: Legislative branch being split into the House of Representatives and the Senate

Advise and consent

Found in: Article II, Section 2, Clause 2

Definition: The Senate’s power to approve or reject presidential appointments and treaties → check on power

Example: Senate confirms Supreme Court justices nominated by the president

Republican form of government

Found in: Article IV, Section 4

Definition: A political system in which people elect representatives to make and enforce laws

Example: Citizens vote for members of Congress to represent them

Necessary and Proper

Found in: Article I, Section 8, Clause 18

Definition: Grants Congress the power to make laws required to carry out its other powers

Example: Creation of the national bank in 1791

Interstate Commerce

Found in: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3

Definition: Trade and economic activity that crosses state lines

Example: Congress can regulate this commerce

Privileges and Immunities

Found in: Article IV, Section 2, Clause 1

Definition: Prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states

Example: A state can’t impose higher taxes on residents from other states

Full faith and credit

Found in: Article IV, Section 1

Definition: Requires states to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states

Example: A marriage or court ruling in one state is valid in another

Supremacy Clause

Found in: Article VI, Clause 2

Definition: Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the “Supreme Law of the Land“ and override state laws

Example: States cannot nullify federal law

Reserved Powers

Found in: 10th Amendment

Definition: Powers not granted to the federal government nor prohibited to the states are reserved to the states or the people

Example: Education and local law enforcement

Federalism

Found in: 10th Amendment

Definition: A System of government where power is divided between a central (national) government and regional (state) governments

Example: National government handles foreign policy, state laws handle marriage laws