AP Gov’t Review
Part I: US Constitution
The Preamble

We the People of the United States, in Order to
form a more perfect Union, establish Justice,
insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the
common defense, promote the general Welfare,
and secure the Blessings of Liberty to
ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution for the United States
of America.
I. 1
Legislative Branch – Congress
 “All legislative powers herein granted shall be
vested in a Congress”

I.2
House – 25 years old, 7 years citizen, and
resident of the state
 2 year term
 Number established by population
 Power to chose own leaders
 Sole Power of Impeachment

I. 3
Senate – 2 from each state
 30 years old, 9 years citizens, resident of state
 Vice President presiding officer
 Other officers are elected
 Power to try Impeachment

I. 5
Each House judges elections and qualifications
of its own members
 Establish own rules
 Punish it’s own members

I.7
All revenue bills must start in the House
 All bills must pass both Houses and President
to sign
 President can veto (with explanation)
 Pocket Veto
 2/3rds overturn Veto – or can re-pass law

I.8
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Power of the Purse
Interstate Commerce
Naturalization
Coin Money
Post Office
Promote Science
Patens/Copyrights
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Establish lower courts
Declare War
To raise army (2yrs
limit)
To govern the military
Oversee DC
Ratify treaties
I.8.18

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and
proper for carrying into Execution the
foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested
by this Constitution in the Government of the
United States, or in any Department or
Officer thereof.
II.1
Executive Power vested in the President
 4 year term, 35 yrs old, natural born citizen,
resident for 14 years
 Electoral College

II.2 and 3
Section 2
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Commander in chief
Pardons
Negotiate Treaties
Appointment
Section 3
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State of the Union
Call Congress into session
Receive Ambassadors
II.3

The President,Vice President and all civil
Officers of the United States, shall be removed
from Office on Impeachment for, and
Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high
Crimes and Misdemeanors.
III.1
Judicial Power vested in Supreme Court and
lower courts
 Life terms

III.2
Jurisdiction
 Original vs Appellate
 Process of a case making it to the SC

III.3
Clause 1: Treason against the United States, shall
consist only in levying War against them, or in
adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and
Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of
Treason unless on the Testimony of two
Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on
Confession in open Court.
 Clause 2: The Congress shall have Power to
declare the Punishment of Treason, but no
Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of
Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the
Person attainted

V.1
Amending the Constitution
 2/3s both Houses or 2/3 State Conventions
for proposing
 3/4ths of State Legislatures or 3/4ths state
conventions for ratification

VI.2

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United
States which shall be made in Pursuance
thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall
be made, under the Authority of the United
States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land;
and the Judges in every State shall be bound
thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws
of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
A1

Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof; or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the press; or the
right of the people peaceably to assemble, and
to petition the government for a redress of
grievances.
A2

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the
security of a free state, the right of the people
to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
A4

The right of the people to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers, and effects, against
unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not
be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but
upon probable cause, supported by oath or
affirmation, and particularly describing the
place to be searched, and the persons or
things to be seized.
A5
Grand Jury
 Double Jeopardy
 Incriminate self
 Due Process

A6
Speedy and Public Trial
 Right to a Jury
 Trial where crime committed
 Confront Witnesses
 Right to an Attorney

A.8
Cruel and unusual punishment
 No excessive bail and fines

A9 and A10

The enumeration in the
Constitution, of certain
rights, shall not be
construed to deny or
disparage others
retained by the people.

The powers not
delegated to the United
States by the
Constitution, nor
prohibited by it to the
states, are reserved to
the states respectively,
or to the people.
A13

Prohibition of Slavery
A14
Definition of Citizens
 “Due processes” Clause applied to states
 “Equal Protection” Clause for the states

A15
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Universal Male Suffrage
A17
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Direct Election of Senators
A18 and 21
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Prohibition
A19

The right of citizens of the United States to
vote shall not be denied or abridged by the
United States or by any State on account of
sex.
A22

Term limits for the President of the US
A23
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DC Voting Rights
A25
Establishes Presidential Succession
 Including a system to remove the president if
unable to carry out responsibilities
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A26

The right of citizens of the United States, who
are eighteen years of age or older, to vote
shall not be denied or abridged by the United
States or by any State on account of age.
A27

Congressional Pay raises