Federalism Quiz AP Gov

Federalism

a form of government in which power is divided between the federal government and the states

Sixteenth Amendment

The constitutional amendment adopted in 1913 that explicitly permitted Congress to levy an income tax.

Federal system

a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and a number of individual states

Seventeenth Amendment

allowed americans to vote directly for U.S senators

Unitary system

a government that gives all key powers to the national or central government

Confederate system (Confederation)

a government that gives all key powers to the states

cooperative federalism

Cooperation among federal, state, &local govts; "marble cake" federalism

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

very weak federal gov't, no power to tax,

land grants

first form of grants-in-aid to the states by the federal government were in this form

National powers

controlling trade between states; creating army; coin and printing money; admitting new states; declaring war and peace; making laws for immigration

categorical grants

Federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes or "categories," of state and local spending. They come with strings attached, such as nondiscrimination provisions.

Concurrent powers

Powers for both the national and state governments, such as the power to levy taxes.

Great Society

1964, LBJ's policies of fighting poverty and racial injustice

State powers

Control public schools,Control local elections,Set up governments, Control trade in states, provide laws for safety,health, and welfare.

Revenue sharing

Giving money back to the state and local government with no strings attached

Enumerated powers

17 powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution

New Federalism

system in which the national government restores greater authority back to the states

Implied powers

powers that congress has that are not stated explicitly in the constitution

block grants

Money from the national government that states can spend within broad guidelines

Reserve powers

powers granted ONLY to the states

intergovernmental lobby

An interest group made up of mayors, governors, and other state and local officials who depend on federal funds

Bill of attainder

A legislative act that inflicts punishment without a court trial

Ex post facto laws

A law which punishes people for a crime that was not a crime when it was committed. Congress cannot pass these laws.

devolution

The effort to transfer responsibility for many public programs and services from the federal government to the states.

"Full faith and credit" clause

Constitution's requirement that each state accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state

preemption

the judicial principle asserting the supremacy of federal over state legislation on the same subject

interstate compacts

Agreements between states to work together on common issues

Contract with America

republican plan for political reform [devolution]

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

states did not have power to tax the national bank, reinforces supremacy clause

Necessary and proper clause

Constitutional clause that gives congress the power to make all laws "necessary and proper" for executing its powers

mandates

terms set by the national government that states must meet whether or not they accept federal grants

Supremacy clause

The constitutional provision that makes the Constitution and federal laws superior to all conflicting state and local laws.

US v. Lopez

The Court held that Congress had exceeded its commerce clause power by prohibiting guns in a school zone.

Gibbons v. Ogden

Regulating interstate commerce is a power reserved to the federal government

Commerce clause

The section of the Constitution in which Congress is given the power to regulate trade among the states and with foreign countries.

Dual federalism

A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies.

Dred Scott v. Sandford

Supreme Court case that supported slavery by saying slaves are property not citizens. (1857)

Tenth Amendment

Amendment stating that the powers not delegated to the federal government. are reserved to the states