articles and clauses

Vocabulary flashcards covering Constitutional Foundations, Articles of the Constitution, Important Constitutional Clauses, and the 1st Amendment from the AP U.S. Government study guide.

Popular Sovereignty

Government gets its power from the people.

Republicanism

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Limited Government

Government power is restricted by laws and the Constitution.

Separation of Powers

Power is divided among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks and Balances

Each branch has powers that can limit the other branches.

Federalism

Power is divided between the national government and state governments.

Legislative Branch

Congress; makes laws.

Executive Branch

President; enforces laws.

Judicial Branch

Courts; interprets laws.

Article 1

Legislative Branch - Congress.

Article 2

Executive Branch - President.

Article 3

Judicial Branch - Supreme Court and federal courts.

Article 4

Relationships among the states.

Article 5

Amendment process.

Article 6

Supremacy of the Constitution and federal law.

Article 7

Ratification of the Constitution.

Necessary and Proper (Elastic) Clause

Article 1 clause that allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

Commerce Clause

Article 1 clause that gives Congress power to regulate interstate and international commerce.

Supremacy Clause

Article 6 clause stating that the Constitution, valid federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Article 4 clause stating that states generally recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.