AP US Government: Constitution

Vesting Clause

Article II, Section 1 defines the president as the "vestment of executive power" in the United States

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Article I, Section 8 allows Congress to pass all laws "necessary and proper" for executing its enumerated powers, serving as the basis for implied powers

Commerce Clause

Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the authority to regulate interstate commerce

Taxing and Spending Clause

Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 gives Congress the "power of the purse," used to influence policy by controlling federal funding

Supremacy Clause

Article VI establishes federal law and the Constitution as superior to state law when they conflict

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Article IV requires states to respect the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Article IV prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states regarding basic rights

Establishment Clause

The 1st Amendment prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or showing preferential treatment

Free Exercise Clause

The 1st Amendment protects a citizen's right to practice their religion provided it does not violate social safety

Due Process Clause

The 5th and 14th Amendments prohibit the government from depriving any person of "life, liberty, or property" without legal fairness

Equal Protection Clause

The 14th Amendment prohibits states from denying any person "equal protection of the laws"; the foundation for civil rights

1st Amendment

Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition

2nd Amendment

Right to keep and bear arms for self-defense

3rd Amendment

Prohibits the quartering of troops in private homes

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures

5th Amendment

Right to grand jury, no double jeopardy, no self-incrimination, and due process

6th Amendment

Right to a speedy and public trial and the right to legal counsel

7th Amendment

Right to a jury trial in civil cases

8th Amendment

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail/fines

9th Amendment

Acknowledges unenumerated rights retained by the people

10th Amendment

Establishes reserved powers for the states

11th Amendment

Limits federal court jurisdiction over suits against states

12th Amendment

Changed the Electoral College procedure for electing President and VP

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude

14th Amendment

Defines citizenship and applies due process/equal protection to states. Grants birthright citizenship to all persons born in the United States.

15th Amendment

Prohibits voting discrimination based on race

16th Amendment

Authorized a federal income tax

17th Amendment

Established the direct election of U.S. Senators

18th Amendment

Prohibited the manufacture/sale of alcohol (Prohibition)

19th Amendment

Guaranteed women the right to vote

20th Amendment

Set dates for federal terms and defined Presidential succession

21st Amendment

Repealed the 18th Amendment

22nd Amendment

Limited the President to two terms

23rd Amendment

Granted electoral votes to D.C.

24th Amendment

Abolished poll taxes in federal elections

25th Amendment

Established procedures for Presidential disability and VP vacancies

26th Amendment

Lowered the legal voting age to 18

27th Amendment

Regulates the timing of congressional pay raises

Article I

The Legislative Branch; establishes the structure, powers, and limits of Congress, creating a bicameral legislature.

Article II

The Executive Branch; defines the role of the President in enforcing federal laws and serving as Commander-in-Chief.

Article III

The Judicial Branch; establishes the Supreme Court and grants Congress authority to create lower federal courts.

Article IV

Relations Between States— establishes the principle of federalism; defines how states must interact, including the requirement to respect each other's laws (Full Faith and Credit) and the process for admitting new states.

Article V

The Amending Process; details the two-stage process for changing the Constitution (Proposal by 2/3 of Congress and Ratification by 3/4 of states).

Article VI

The Supremacy Clause; establishes that the Constitution and federal laws are the "supreme law of the land."

Article VII

Ratification; outlines the original process required to ratify the Constitution (9 of 13 states required).