AP U.S. Government and Politics Summer Assignment 2026

AP U.S. Government and Politics Summer Assignment $2026$ Objectives

The fundamental requirement for the summer of $2026$ is a comprehensive reading and analysis of the United States Constitution. This academic endeavor serves as a prerequisite for the AP U.S. Government and Politics course, ensuring that every student arrives with a firm grasp of the nation's foundational legal document. Students are tasked with examining all seven ($7$) articles of the Constitution, summarizing the primary subject matter of each, and identifying any complex terminology or potential discussion points. This foundational knowledge will be formally assessed during the $2^{nd}$ week of the fall semester through a mandatory quiz. To facilitate this study, learners are encouraged to utilize resources such as the comprehensive guide available at the usconstitution.net website. All completed worksheets based on this reading must be kept within the student's notebook for reference throughout the duration of the course. Documentation must be performed in a handwritten format, either through a printed copy of the assigned worksheet, a self-created chart in a notebook, or a physical copy obtained from Mrs. Wilkosz in room $1104$.

Article $I$: Structure and Power of the Legislative Branch

Article $I$ is the most expansive section of the Constitution, establishing the bicameral legislature known as the United States Congress. Section $1$ vests all legislative powers in a House of Representatives and a Senate. Section $2$ details the House of Representatives, where members serve $2$-year terms and must be at least $25$ years old, a citizen for $7$ years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent. Representation is determined by population, and the House holds the sole power of impeachment. Section $3$ defines the Senate, consisting of two ($2$) senators from each state serving $6$-year terms. Senators must be at least $30$ years old and citizens for $9$ years. The Vice President serves as President of the Senate but only votes to break a tie. The Senate holds the power to try all impeachments, requiring a ${2}/{3}$ majority for conviction.

Section $8$ of Article $I$ outlines the enumerated powers of Congress, including the power to lay and collect taxes, borrow money, and regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states. Other powers include coining money, establishing post offices, promoting the progress of science and useful arts through patents, and constituting tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court. Crucially, Section $8$ concludes with the Necessary and Proper Clause, granting Congress the authority to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying out its execution of powers. Conversely, Section $9$ lists limitations on federal power, such as the prohibition against suspending the Writ of Habeas Corpus except in cases of rebellion or invasion, and the ban on Bills of Attainder and ex post facto laws. Section $10$ restricts state powers, preventing states from entering into treaties, coining money, or granting titles of nobility.

Article $II$: The Executive Branch and Presidential Authority

Article $II$ establishes the executive power of the federal government, vested in a President of the United States who serves a term of $4$ years alongside a Vice President. Presidential eligibility requires being a natural-born citizen, at least $35$ years of age, and a resident within the United States for at least $14$ years. The selection process is governed by the Electoral College, a system where each state appoints electors equal to the number of Senators and Representatives it has in Congress. Before entering office, the President must take an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution.

Specific powers granted to the President include serving as the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy and the state militias when called into service. The President has the authority to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. With the advice and consent of the Senate, the President can make treaties, provided ${2}/{3}$ of the Senators present concur. The President is responsible for nominating ambassadors, public ministers, consuls, and judges of the Supreme Court. Additionally, the President is mandated to provide Congress with information on the State of the Union and carries the duty to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed. Provisions for the removal of the President, Vice President, and all civil officers through impeachment for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors are also detailed.

Article $III$: The Judicial Branch and Legal Jurisdiction

Article $III$ outlines the judicial power of the United States, which is vested in one Supreme Court and such inferior courts as Congress may establish from time to time. This article ensures judicial independence by stating that judges shall hold their offices during good behavior and receive compensation that cannot be diminished during their tenure. The jurisdiction of the federal courts extends to all cases arising under the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties, as well as cases involving ambassadors, maritime jurisdiction, and controversies where the United States is a party or between different states.

The Supreme Court holds original jurisdiction in cases involving ambassadors or where a state is a party, while in all other cases, it holds appellate jurisdiction. Section $2$ guarantees that the trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury. Article $III$ also provides a specific and limited definition of treason, which consists only of levying war against the United States or adhering to their enemies by giving them aid and comfort. Conviction for treason requires the testimony of two ($2$) witnesses to the same overt act or a confession in open court. Congress is granted the power to declare the punishment for treason, though it cannot extend to the "corruption of blood" or forfeiture beyond the life of the person convicted.

Article $IV$: Federalism and Inter-State Relations

Article $IV$ governs the relationship between the states and the federal government, emphasizing national unity. The Full Faith and Credit Clause requires each state to respect the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. The Privileges and Immunities Clause ensures that citizens of each state are entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states. This article also includes provisions for extradition, requiring that a person charged with a crime who flees to another state be returned to the state having jurisdiction of the crime.

Section $3$ addresses the admission of new states into the Union, noting that no new state can be formed within the jurisdiction of any other state without the consent of the legislatures of the states concerned and of Congress. Congress is also given the power to dispose of and make all needful rules regarding the territory or other property belonging to the United States. Furthermore, Section $4$ guarantees to every state in the Union a republican form of government and pledges federal protection against invasion and, upon request from the state legislature or executive, against domestic violence.

Article $V$: The Formal Amendment Process

Article $V$ defines the mechanisms for altering the Constitution, ensuring it remains a living document that can adapt over time. Amendments can be proposed in two ways: either by ${2}/{3}$ of both the House of Representatives and the Senate or by a national convention called for by ${2}/{3}$ of the state legislatures. Once an amendment is proposed, it must be ratified to become part of the Constitution. Ratification also offers two paths: approval by the legislatures of ${3}/{4}$ of the several states or by conventions in ${3}/{4}$ thereof, with Congress determining which mode of ratification is used. This article specifies that no amendment could be made prior to the year $1808$ that affected the first and fourth clauses of the ninth section of the first article, and it protects the equal suffrage of states in the Senate, stating that no state shall be deprived of its equal vote without its consent.

Article $VI$: Supremacy, Debts, and Oaths of Office

Article $VI$ establishes the legal status of the Constitution and the federal government. It begins by affirming that all debts and engagements entered into before the adoption of the Constitution remain valid against the United States. The Supremacy Clause is a pivotal component of this article, declaring that the Constitution, federal laws made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made under the authority of the United States are the supreme law of the land. This mandates that judges in every state are bound by federal law, even if it conflicts with state constitutions or statutes.

In addition to the hierarchy of law, Article $VI$ requires that all senators, representatives, members of state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers of both the United States and the several states be bound by oath or affirmation to support the Constitution. Significantly, the article explicitly forbids any religious test as a qualification for any office or public trust under the United States, cementing the principle of religious neutrality in federal service.

Article $VII$: Requirement for Ratification

Article $VII$ is the briefest of the original seven articles and specifies the requirements for the Constitution to be formally adopted and established as the governing framework of the United States. It dictates that the ratification of the conventions of nine ($9$) states shall be sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution between the states so ratifying the same. This threshold was set to ensures a broad consensus among the original thirteen states before the new federal government could take effect, replacing the previous Articles of Confederation.