US CONSTITUTION TERMS
Appointments Clause
Assistance of Counsel Clause
Citizenship Clause
clear and present danger / imminent lawless action
Commerce Clause
concurred powers
Connecticut Compromise
cooperative federalism/marble cake
delegated/enumerated (expressed) powers
Double Jeopardy Clause
dual federalism/layer cake
Due Process Clause
Elastic Clause / Necessary and Proper Clause
eminent domain
Equal Protection Clause
Establishment Clause / Free Exercise Clause
Full Faith and Credit Clause
implied powers
judicial review
New Jersey Plan
popular sovereignty
Privileges and Immunities Clause
reserved powers
Supremacy Clause
Three-Fifths Compromise
Title of Nobility Clause
Virginia Plan
1. Appointments Clause:
 This clause, found in Article II, Section 2, Clause 2 of the Constitution, gives
the President the authority to appoint judges, ambassadors, and other federal
officers with the advice and consent of the Senate.
2. Assistance of Counsel Clause:
 This clause, found in the Sixth Amendment of the Bill of Rights, ensures that
individuals accused of crimes have the right to assistance of counsel for their
defense.
3. Citizenship Clause:
 This clause, found in the Fourteenth Amendment, defines citizenship and
guarantees that all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject
to its jurisdiction are citizens, including former slaves.
4. Clear and Present Danger / Imminent Lawless Action:
 These are standards used to determine the limits of free speech. The "clear and
present danger" test and the "imminent lawless action" test are used to assess
whether certain expressions or speech can be restricted if they pose a threat to
public safety.
5. Commerce Clause:
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
Found in Article I, Section 8, Clause 3, this grants Congress the power to
regulate commerce among the states and with foreign nations.
6. Concurred Powers:
 Refers to powers shared by both the federal and state governments, often
associated with federalism.
7. Connecticut Compromise:
 Also known as the Great Compromise, it was an agreement during the
Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral legislature with
proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal
representation in the Senate.
8. Cooperative Federalism/Marble Cake:
 Refers to a concept of federalism where federal and state governments work
together in policy implementation, blurring the lines between their
responsibilities.
9. Delegated/Enumerated (Expressed) Powers:
 Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution.
10. Double Jeopardy Clause:
 Found in the Fifth Amendment, it protects individuals from being tried twice
for the same offense.
11. Dual Federalism/Layer Cake:
 Describes a clear separation of powers and responsibilities between the federal
and state governments.
12. Due Process Clause:
 Found in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, it ensures that individuals are
treated fairly by the government and have certain legal protections.
13. Elastic Clause/Necessary and Proper Clause:
 Found in Article I, Section 8, Clause 18, it grants Congress the authority to
pass laws necessary and proper for the execution of its enumerated powers.
14. Eminent Domain:
 The government's power to take private property for public use, with just
compensation to the owner.
15. Equal Protection Clause:
 Found in the Fourteenth Amendment, it prohibits the government from
denying equal protection under the law to any individual or group.
16. Establishment Clause / Free Exercise Clause:
 Both found in the First Amendment, the Establishment Clause prohibits the
government from establishing an official religion, and the Free Exercise Clause
protects the right to practice religion freely.
17. Full Faith and Credit Clause:
 Found in Article IV, Section 1, it requires states to recognize the laws and
judicial decisions of other states.
18. Implied Powers:
 Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but inferred from the necessary
and proper clause.
19. Judicial Review:
 The power of the courts to review and potentially invalidate government
actions that are inconsistent with the Constitution.
20. New Jersey Plan:
 A proposal at the Constitutional Convention for a unicameral legislature with
equal representation for each state.
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21. Popular Sovereignty:
 The principle that the authority of the government is derived from the people.
22. Privileges and Immunities Clause:
 Found in Article IV, Section 2, it prohibits states from discriminating against
citizens of other states.
23. Reserved Powers:
 Powers not granted to the federal government and not prohibited to the states
by the Constitution, which are reserved for the states or the people.
24. Supremacy Clause:
 Found in Article VI, it establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and
treaties are the supreme law of the land.
25. Three-Fifths Compromise:
 An agreement during the Constitutional Convention regarding the counting of
slaves for representation and taxation purposes.
26. Title of Nobility Clause:
 Found in Article I, Section 9, it prohibits the granting of titles of nobility by
the United States.
27. Virginia Plan:
 A proposal at the Constitutional Convention for a bicameral legislature with
representation based on population.
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