AP U.S. Government & Politics: Constitution Study Guide

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key Constitutional principles, structure, clauses, expressed powers, checks and balances, and amendments from the AP U.S. Government study guide.

Preamble

The introductory statement of the Constitution that lays down the basic presence of government in American society and explains core beliefs such as peace, health, and freedom.

Article I

The article of the Constitution that creates the Legislative Branch (Congress), establishes guidelines and eligibility requirements, grants powers such as taxing and declaring war, and contains the Necessary and Proper Clause, Commerce Clause, and Habeas Corpus.

Article II

The article of the Constitution that creates the Executive Branch, outlines presidential powers (Commander in Chief, pardons), creates the Electoral College, and establishes impeachment parameters for civil officers.

Article III

The article of the Constitution that creates the Judicial Branch (Supreme Court, Appellate Courts, Lower Federal Courts), defines treason as a crime, and sets original jurisdiction for SCOTUS.

Article IV

The article of the Constitution that contains the Full Faith and Credit Clause, restricts state discrimination, establishes fugitive extradition, governs state admission and federal territories, and includes the Guarantee Clause.

Article V

The article of the Constitution that establishes the formal amendment process.

Article VI

The article of the Constitution containing the Supremacy Clause, which establishes that national laws take precedence over conflicting state laws.

Article VIII

The section stating that the ratification of the Constitution by each of the states is necessary.

Expressed Powers

Powers specifically granted to the institutions of government in the Constitution, such as Congress's power to declare war or the President's power to issue pardons.

Ex Post Facto Laws

Laws that make an action illegal after someone has already taken that action; prohibited from being passed by Congress under Article I.

House of Representatives Eligibility Requirements

Constitutional requirement that a member must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years, and a resident of the state they represent. (Article I)

Senate Eligibility Requirements

Constitutional requirement that a senator must be more than 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years, and a resident of the state they represent. (Article I)

Presidential Eligibility Requirements

Constitutional requirement that the President must be a natural-born U.S. citizen, at least 35 years old, and a resident within the U.S. for at least 14 years. (Article II)

Judicial Review

The power established in Marbury v. Madison that allows federal courts to examine laws passed by Congress to determine if they are constitutional.

Original Jurisdiction of SCOTUS

The authority of the Supreme Court to hear a case first, which applies specifically to lawsuits involving an ambassador, public minister, consul, or cases where a state is a party.

Commerce Clause (Article I)

Allows states to regulate trade with foreign nations, among the states, and with Indian tribes.

Necessary and Proper Clause

A clause in Article I that lets Congress pass laws and exercise powers that are not explicitly enumerated in the Constitution.

Supremacy Clause

A clause located in Article VI stating that federal laws will be followed over state laws when a conflict exists.

Habeas Corpus

A right established in Article I allowing an individual who is detained and accused of a crime to challenge their detention in court.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

A clause located in Article IV that requires individual states to honor the public laws and judicial rulings of other states.

Procedural Due Process

A aspect of due process under the 5th and 14th amendments requiring the government to act fairly, provide a trial, and give notice of charges when a person is imprisoned or accused.

Substantive Due Process

A provision in the 5th and 14th amendments prohibiting the government from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

Equal Protection Clause

A clause found in the 14th Amendment requiring that all people be treated equally by the government.

First Amendment

Constitutional amendment guaranteeing freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of assembly, freedom to petition the government, and freedom of religion.

Fifth Amendment

Constitutional amendment protecting rights to a Grand Jury, protection against Double Jeopardy, protection against self-incrimination, right to due process, and the Takings Clause/Eminent Domain.

Confrontation Clause

A provision of the 6th Amendment allowing criminal defendants to cross-examine adverse witnesses face-to-face in court, preventing prosecutors from using out-of-court statements.

Eminent Domain / Takings Clause

A 5th Amendment clause permitting the government to take private property for public use provided they pay the owner the value of the property.

Ninth Amendment

Constitutional amendment establishing unenumerated rights, meaning individuals possess protections beyond those listed in Amendments 1 through 8.

Twelfth Amendment

Constitutional amendment changing the Electoral College process so that presidential and vice-presidential candidates are voted for separately by electors.

Fourteenth Amendment

Constitutional amendment featuring the Citizenship Clause, the Due Process Clause restricting states, and the Equal Protection Clause requiring equal treatment.

Fifteenth Amendment

Constitutional amendment prohibiting the use of race in determining voter eligibility.

Seventeenth Amendment

Constitutional amendment mandating that U.S. Senators be elected directly by the public.

Twenty-Second Amendment

Constitutional amendment limiting a President to serving two terms in office, or a maximum of 8 years.

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Constitutional amendment specifying presidential succession and procedures in the event of death or resignation of the President or Vice President.

Twenty-Seventh Amendment

Constitutional amendment prohibiting members of Congress from implementing pay raises for themselves during their current active session.