POLS 1101: American Government & Politics Exam 2

The Articles of Confederation

America’s first national government; extremely weak central authority

confederacy

A system where states hold most power and the national government is very weak

unicameral legislature

A one‑house legislature

According to Madison, what was “the great and radical vice” of the Articles of Confederation? Why did it make the Articles so weak?

The national government acted on states, not individuals. Because states could ignore national laws, the government had no real enforcement power

Constitutional Convention / Philadelphia Convention

The 1787 meeting where the U.S. Constitution was written

Original Constitution

The Constitution as written in 1787, before amendments

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments protecting individual liberties

Founders’ Constitution

The original Constitution + Bill of Rights

Great Compromise

Agreement creating a bicameral Congress: House (population) + Senate (equal representation)

Virginia Plan / Large State Plan

Representation based on population

New Jersey Plan / Small State Plan

Equal representation for all states

Electoral College

System for electing the president through state‑appointed electors

Slave Trade Clause

Allowed the international slave trade to continue until 1808

Fugitive Slave Clause

Required escaped enslaved people to be returned to enslavers

Federalism

Power divided between national and state governments

popular sovereignty

Government power comes from the people

representative democracy —

People elect leaders to make decisions

separation of powers / checks and balances

Dividing government power among branches to prevent tyranny

Supremacy Clause

Federal law is above state law

The Federalist Papers

Essays supporting ratification of the Constitution

Anti‑Federalists

Opposed ratification; feared strong national government

What was the primary obstacle to amending the Articles of Confederation? What was the ground for this obstacle?

Amendments required unanimous state approval. Popular sovereignty meant states had equal say, making change nearly impossible

What were the two most heated points of contention at the Constitutional Convention?

Representation (large vs small states) and slavery

Which original constitutional principles were most related to checks and balances?

Separation of powers, bicameralism, and federalism

What were the Federalists arguing against?

Against the Anti‑Federalists’ fear of strong national government; they argued the Constitution prevented tyranny

Did the original federal system give states more or less power than under the Articles?

Less. The Constitution strengthened national authority

How does the Constitution’s preamble reflect popular sovereignty?

It begins with “We the People,” showing that authority comes from citizens

Why did the Founders choose a bicameral legislature instead of a unicameral one?

To balance large and small state interests and create internal checks

Which Anti‑Federalists supported ratification? Which opposed?

Moderate Anti‑Federalists supported it after the Bill of Rights was promised; radical Anti‑Federalists opposed it entirely

What is the subject matter of Articles I, II, III, and V?

Article I — Legislative branch, Article II — Executive branch, Article III — Judicial branch, Article V — Amendment process

Reconstruction Amendments

The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments

The Second Founding

The transformation of the Constitution after the Civil War

Citizenship

Redefined by the 14th Amendment to include all born or naturalized in the U.S

What did each Reconstruction amendment declare?

13th — Abolished slavery, 14th — Citizenship, equal protection, due process, 15th — Voting rights regardless of race

How did the Reconstruction Amendments transform the Founders’ Constitution?

They ended slavery, expanded federal power, and redefined citizenship and equality

unitary system

National government holds all power

confederal system

States hold most power; national government is weak

federal system

Power shared between national and state governments

delegated powers

Powers given to the national government

reserved powers

Powers kept by the states (10th Amendment)

laboratories of democracy

States experiment with policies

Race to the bottom

States compete by lowering standards (taxes, regulations)

Understand the five arguments for larger national government and five for greater state authority.

1) National gov arguments: uniformity, national defense, economic stability, civil rights protection, efficiency

2) State gov arguments: local control, innovation, diversity, competition, preventing tyranny

delegated powers

Powers explicitly given to Congress

implied powers

Powers not listed but necessary to carry out delegated powers

reserved powers

Powers kept by states

Supremacy Clause

Federal law > state law

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to stretch its powers

full faith and credit clause

States must honor each other’s laws and records

privileges and immunities clause

States cannot discriminate against citizens of other states

Why are these key provisions important for federalism?

They define how power is divided and how conflicts between state and national governments are resolved

What are the important principles of the Tenth Amendment?

Powers not given to the national government are reserved for states

Where are most of Congress’s enumerated powers listed?

Article I, Section 8

Are there constitutional limits on state governments?

Yes — states cannot violate federal law or constitutional rights

dual federalism

National and state governments operate separately (“layer cake”)

layer cake federalism

Clear division of powers between levels of government

16th Amendment

Allowed federal income tax

progressive income tax

Higher earners pay higher tax rates

the New Deal

Massive federal expansion during the Great Depression

New Deal Federalism

Stronger national government involvement

modern welfare state

Federal social programs (Social Security, unemployment insurance)

Post‑New Deal Cooperative Federalism

National and state governments work together (“marble cake”)

the Great Society

LBJ’s expansion of federal programs

grants‑in‑aid

Federal money given to states

categorical grants

Money for specific purposes

block grants

Money for broad purposes with state flexibility

devolution

Shifting power back to states

principled federalism

Consistent belief in limiting federal power

Has national government power increased or decreased over time?

Increased

Impact of progressive income tax since 1894?

Gave federal government huge revenue → expanded programs

How does the federal government influence states using the power of the purse?

By giving or withholding grants to pressure states

How did the Supreme Court initially react to FDR’s New Deal?

Struck down early programs as unconstitutional

How has the modern welfare state impacted federalism?

Increased federal authority over social programs

How did Reagan try to reduce federal power?

Promoted devolution, block grants, deregulation

Were Reagan’s efforts successful? Why did national debt double?

Partially. Defense spending rose and tax cuts reduced revenue → debt doubled

Is either major party committed to principled federalism today?

No — both support federal power when it benefits their goals