U.S. Constitution

Flashcard deck · U.S. Government · Constitution · Social Studies

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Flashcards on all 27 amendments, Articles I–III, checks and balances, civil liberties, and clauses like the Commerce and Establishment Clause.

Terms in this deck

5th Amendment: Protects against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and guarantees due process; requires grand juries for serious crimes.
2nd Amendment: Protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms.
15th Amendment: Prohibited denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude (1870).
22nd Amendment: Limited the president to two terms in office (1951), following Franklin Roosevelt's four terms.
Anti-Federalists: Opponents of ratifying the Constitution who feared a too-powerful national government and demanded a Bill of Rights.
8th Amendment: Prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.
10th Amendment: Reserves powers not granted to the federal government to the states or the people.
9th Amendment: States that rights not listed in the Constitution are still retained by the people.
14th Amendment: Granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. and guaranteed equal protection and due process (1868).
26th Amendment: Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, largely in response to the Vietnam War (1971).
Article I: The section of the Constitution establishing the legislative branch and its powers.
bill of attainder: A law that punishes a specific person without a trial; prohibited by the Constitution.
6th Amendment: Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, and an attorney in criminal cases.
25th Amendment: Establishes procedures for presidential succession and for declaring a president unable to perform duties (1967).
1st Amendment: Protects freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition from government interference.
amendment process: The two-step process of proposing (two-thirds of Congress or a convention) and ratifying (three-fourths of states) changes to the Constitution.
Articles of Confederation: The first governing document of the United States (1781–1788), replaced by the Constitution due to its weaknesses.
19th Amendment: Granted women the right to vote (1920).
17th Amendment: Established the direct election of U.S. senators by popular vote instead of by state legislatures (1913).
24th Amendment: Abolished poll taxes in federal elections (1964), removing a barrier to voting for low-income citizens.
amendment: A formal change or addition to the Constitution; there are currently 27 amendments.
civil liberties: Individual freedoms protected by the Constitution from government interference, such as free speech and due process.
checks and balances: The system allowing each branch of government to limit the powers of the other two branches.
Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1791, guaranteeing individual freedoms and limiting government power.
13th Amendment: Abolished slavery throughout the United States (1865).
bicameral legislature: A lawmaking body divided into two chambers; the U.S. Congress has the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Article III: The section of the Constitution establishing the judicial branch, including the Supreme Court.
cabinet: A group of the president's top advisors who head executive departments, such as State and Defense.
4th Amendment: Protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures; requires warrants supported by probable cause.
Article II: The section of the Constitution establishing the executive branch and the powers of the president.
executive branch: The branch of government headed by the president, responsible for enforcing laws.
civil rights: The legal protections ensuring equal treatment under the law regardless of race, sex, or other characteristics.
freedom of speech: The First Amendment right to express opinions without government censorship or punishment.
Commerce Clause: The constitutional provision giving Congress the power to regulate trade between states and with foreign nations.
Establishment Clause: The First Amendment clause prohibiting the government from establishing an official religion.
freedom of religion: The First Amendment right protecting both free exercise of religion and preventing government establishment of religion.
filibuster: A Senate tactic in which a senator speaks at length to delay or block a vote on legislation.
concurrent powers: Powers shared by both the federal and state governments, such as the power to tax.
double jeopardy: Being tried twice for the same crime after an acquittal or conviction; prohibited by the 5th Amendment.
cruel and unusual punishment: Punishment that is disproportionate or inhumane; prohibited by the 8th Amendment.
commerce power: Congress's broad authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate economic activity affecting interstate commerce.
disenfranchisement: The removal or denial of voting rights, often used historically against Black Americans, women, and the poor.
executive privilege: The claimed right of the president to keep certain communications confidential from other branches of government.
Federalist Papers: A series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay to persuade New Yorkers to ratify the Constitution.
federalism: The division of power between the national government and state governments.
equal protection: The 14th Amendment guarantee that all people must be treated equally under the law.
ex post facto law: A law that makes an action illegal after it was already committed, or increases punishment retroactively; prohibited by the Constitution.
Congress: The legislative branch of the federal government, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
due process: The constitutional guarantee that the government must follow fair legal procedures before depriving someone of life, liberty, or property.
Great Compromise: The agreement at the Constitutional Convention creating a bicameral Congress with equal Senate representation and proportional House representation.
freedom of the press: The First Amendment right of journalists and media to publish without government censorship.
Enlightenment: An 18th-century intellectual movement emphasizing reason, individual rights, and limited government that influenced the Framers.
Elastic Clause: Another name for the Necessary and Proper Clause; called "elastic" because it stretches congressional power.
Franklin, Benjamin: The oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention (age 81), whose support helped legitimize the document.
Free Exercise Clause: The First Amendment clause guaranteeing individuals the right to practice their religion freely.
enumerated powers: Powers specifically listed in the Constitution as belonging to Congress, such as coining money and declaring war.
executive order: A directive issued by the president that manages federal government operations and carries the force of law.
Federalists: Supporters of ratifying the Constitution who favored a strong national government.
Electoral College: The group of representatives from each state who formally elect the president and vice president.
Constitutional Convention: The 1787 meeting in Philadelphia where delegates drafted the U.S. Constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation.
incorporation doctrine: The legal principle by which the 14th Amendment extends most Bill of Rights protections to state governments.
poll tax: A fee required to vote; used to disenfranchise Black voters in the South; abolished by the 24th Amendment.
Philadelphia Convention: Another name for the Constitutional Convention of 1787, held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
judicial branch: The branch of government consisting of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, responsible for interpreting laws.
override: Congress's ability to pass a bill into law despite a presidential veto, requiring a two-thirds vote in both chambers.
Senate: The upper chamber of Congress in which each state has two senators, regardless of population.
Marbury v. Madison: The 1803 Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.
probable cause: Reasonable grounds for police to make a search, seizure, or arrest; required by the 4th Amendment.
popular sovereignty: The principle that government authority comes from the people, reflected in the phrase "We the People."
republicanism: A system of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
judicial review: The power of courts to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional; established by Marbury v. Madison (1803).
limited government: The principle that the government's power is restricted by the Constitution and the rule of law.
Madison, James: A delegate at the Constitutional Convention and primary author of the Constitution, often called the "Father of the Constitution."
Preamble: The opening statement of the Constitution listing six purposes of government, beginning with "We the People."
Necessary and Proper Clause: A constitutional provision (Article I, Section 8) giving Congress the power to make laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.
ratification: The formal process of approving and confirming a document; nine of thirteen states had to ratify the Constitution.
representative government: A government in which elected officials make laws on behalf of the people.
New Jersey Plan: A proposal at the Constitutional Convention favoring small states, calling for equal representation for each state.
Hamilton, Alexander: A Founding Father who co-wrote the Federalist Papers and strongly supported ratification of the Constitution.
Miranda rights: The warnings police must give suspects upon arrest, informing them of their right to remain silent and to an attorney.
Reconstruction Amendments: The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, passed after the Civil War to abolish slavery and extend civil rights.
separation of powers: The division of government into three branches — legislative, executive, and judicial — each with distinct powers.
House of Representatives: The lower chamber of Congress in which representation is based on each state's population.
Shays' Rebellion: A 1786–1787 uprising of Massachusetts farmers that highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
natural rights: Rights that people are born with and that no government can take away, such as life, liberty, and property.
reserved powers: Powers not granted to the federal government by the Constitution, which are kept by the states or the people (10th Amendment).
implied powers: Powers not explicitly stated but suggested by the Necessary and Proper Clause, allowing Congress to carry out its duties.
self-incrimination: Being forced to testify against oneself in court; prohibited by the 5th Amendment ("pleading the Fifth").
impeachment: The process by which Congress formally charges a president, judge, or other official with misconduct; the House impeaches, the Senate tries.
rule of law: The principle that everyone, including government officials, must obey the law.
treaty: A formal agreement between nations; the president negotiates treaties, but the Senate must ratify them by two-thirds vote.
pardon power: The president's constitutional authority to forgive federal crimes and reduce sentences.
war powers: The constitutional authority to declare war (Congress) and to command the military (president), creating a shared power.
commander in chief: The president's constitutional role as head of the U.S. armed forces under Article II.
coin money: Congress's enumerated power to produce and regulate the nation's currency.
Full Faith and Credit Clause: Requires each state to recognize and honor the laws, records, and court decisions of other states.
Article V: The constitutional article describing the process for amending the Constitution.
Washington, George: Presided over the Constitutional Convention and became the first president under the new Constitution.
Article VI: The constitutional article containing the Supremacy Clause and requiring officials to swear an oath to the Constitution.
life tenure: Federal judges serve for life during good behavior, protecting judicial independence under Article III.
Supremacy Clause: The constitutional provision declaring that federal law is the supreme law of the land, overriding conflicting state laws.
State of the Union: The president's constitutional duty to periodically report to Congress on the condition of the nation.
power of the purse: Congress's constitutional authority to control government spending and taxation.
veto: The president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress, preventing it from becoming law.
Three-Fifths Compromise: The agreement counting enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for taxation and representation purposes.
social contract: The idea that people give up some freedoms to a government in exchange for protection of their remaining rights.
Privileges and Immunities Clause: Prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states without good reason.
appellate jurisdiction: The Supreme Court's authority to review decisions made by lower courts.
appointment power: The president's constitutional authority to nominate federal judges, cabinet members, and ambassadors, with Senate confirmation.
writ of habeas corpus: A court order requiring the government to bring a detained person before a judge and justify their imprisonment.
suffrage: The right to vote; expanding suffrage is a major theme in constitutional amendments (15th, 19th, 26th).
Article IV: The constitutional article requiring states to honor each other's laws and court decisions, and governing admission of new states.
slavery compromise: The agreement at the Constitutional Convention to continue allowing the slave trade until 1808, delaying abolition.
Virginia Plan: A proposal at the Constitutional Convention favoring large states, calling for representation based on population.
original jurisdiction: The Supreme Court's authority to hear a case for the first time, as defined in Article III.
War Powers Resolution: A 1973 law requiring the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops and limiting deployments to 60 days without approval.
advice and consent: The Senate's constitutional role in approving presidential appointments and ratifying treaties.
the Framers: The delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention and drafted the U.S. Constitution.
U.S. Constitution: The supreme law of the United States, establishing the framework of government, written in 1787 and ratified in 1788.
declare war: Congress's exclusive constitutional power to formally declare war against another nation.
right to bear arms: The 2nd Amendment protection allowing individuals to keep and carry weapons.
7th Amendment: Guarantees the right to a jury trial in federal civil cases involving more than twenty dollars.
21st Amendment: Repealed the 18th Amendment, ending Prohibition (1933); only amendment to repeal another.
18th Amendment: Prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages (Prohibition, 1919).
pocket veto: When a president kills a bill by taking no action on it while Congress is adjourned.
grand jury: A group of citizens who review evidence to decide whether criminal charges should be formally filed.
extradition: The constitutional requirement that states return fugitives to the state where they committed a crime.
Vice President: The second-highest executive officer who also serves as president of the Senate under the Constitution.
Chief Justice: The head of the Supreme Court and the judicial branch, who presides over presidential impeachment trials.
supremacy of the Constitution: The Constitution is the highest law in the United States; all other laws must conform to it.
census: An official count of the population taken every ten years, used to determine House representation.
naturalization: The legal process by which a foreign-born person becomes a U.S. citizen; power granted to Congress.
treason: The only crime defined in the Constitution; making war against the U.S. or aiding its enemies.
quorum: The minimum number of members (majority) required for Congress to conduct official business.
16th Amendment: Gave Congress the power to collect a federal income tax (1913).
just compensation: The fair payment the government must provide when it takes private property under eminent domain.
apportionment: The distribution of House seats among states based on population as determined by the census.
eminent domain: The government's power to take private property for public use, provided it pays fair compensation (5th Amendment).
3rd Amendment: Prohibits the government from forcing citizens to house soldiers in their homes during peacetime without consent.
elastic: Describes the Necessary and Proper Clause's flexibility; allows Congress to stretch its powers to meet new needs.
line-item veto: The power to reject specific parts of a bill rather than the whole; presidents lack this power under the Constitution.
Speaker of the House: The leader of the House of Representatives, elected by its members; third in presidential succession.

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