Vocab Quiz 2 - AP Gov

Bill of attainder

A law declaring an act illegal without a judicial trial

Block grant

A large grant given to a state by the federal government with only general spending guidelines

Categorical grants

Grants that appropriate federal funds to states for a specific purpose

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by the national and state governments

Ex post facto law

Law that makes an act punishable as a crime, even if the action was legal at the time it was committed/someone cant be charged if after they do it, it becomes illegal

Federal system

System of government in which the national government and state governments share power and derive all authority from the people

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Section of Article IV of the Constitution that ensures judicial decrees and contracts made in one state will be binding and enforceable in any other state

Gibbons v. Ogden

The Supreme Court upheld broad congressional power to regulate interstate commerce. The Court’s broad interpretation of the Constitution’s commerce clause paved the way for later ruling upholding expansive federal powers

Implied powers

The powers of national government derived from the enumerated powers and the necessary and proper clause

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Part of Article IV of the Constitution guaranteering that the citizens of each state are afforded the same rights as citizens of all other states

Reserved powers

Powers reserved to the states by Tenth Amendment that lie at the foundation of a state’s right to legislate for the public health and welfare of its citizens

Tenth Amendment

The final part of the Bill of Rights that defines the basic principle of American federalism in stating that the powers not delegated to the national government are reserved to the states or to the people

Unitary system

System of government in which the local and regional governments derive all authority from a strong national government

Commerce Clause

The clause states that the United States Congress shall have power "to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes"

Denied powers

powers that the national government, state government, or both cannot have

Devolution

the transfer of power and responsibilities from the federal government to state and local governments, often aimed at increasing state flexibility and reducing federal control.

Enabling Act

a federal law that allows a U.S. territory to draft a state constitution as a step toward admission to the Union as a state.

confederation (confederal system)

Type of government in which the national government derives its powers from the states; a league of independent states

Cooperative (marble cake) federalism

Different spheres, but national gov. involved in state affairs now too

Dual (layer cake) federalism

Distinct & different spheres of power

Enumerated (expressed) powers

The powers of national government specifically granted to Congress in Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution

Exclusive powers

those granted solely to the federal government, meaning only the national government—not the states—can exercise them, such as coining money or declaring war.

Federal balance of power

refers to how authority is divided and shared between the national and state governments, as outlined by the Constitution and shaped by laws, court decisions, and historical developments

Federal mandates

Federal government forcing states to do something, could be funded (includes money in deal) or unfunded

Fiscal federalism

Federal government offers grant $ to influence state’s reserved powers

Grants-in-aid

getting Federal money for some condition

Inherent powers

Powers that belong to the president because they can be inferred from Constitution

Intrastate Commerce

buying, selling, or trading of goods and services that takes place entirely within a single state and is regulated by that state's government

Interstate Commerce

buying, selling, or movement of goods and services across state lines, and it is regulated by the federal government under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution

McCulloch v. Maryland

The Supreme Court upheld the power of the national government and denied the right of a state to tax the federal bank, using Constitution supremacy clause. The Court’s broad interpretation of the necessary and proper clause paved the way for later rulings upholding expansive federal powers

Necessary and Proper (Elastic) Cause

The final paragraph of Article 1, section 8, of the Constituion, which gives Congress the authoriyu to pass all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out the enumerated powers specified in Constituion; also called the elastic clause

Revenue sharing

a federal program that distributes a portion of national tax revenues to state and local governments with few or no restrictions on how the money is spent.

Supremacy Clause

Portion of Article VI of the Constituion mandating that national law is supreme over (that is, supersedes) all other laws passed by the states or by any other subdivision of government