Governing TX CH 3: TX in the Federal System

Exam 1

What was the Nullification Crisis (1832-1833)?  

It was a conflict between the federal government and South Carolina over tariffs, where South Carolina tried to nullify federal laws it disagreed with.

What were the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions?

These were statements declaring that states could nullify or invalidate federal laws they deemed unconstitutional, in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798.

What was the Nullification Crisis (1832-1833)?  

It was a conflict between the federal government and South Carolina over tariffs, where South Carolina tried to nullify federal laws it disagreed with.

What were the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions?

These were statements declaring that states could nullify or invalidate federal laws they deemed unconstitutional, in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798.

How did South Carolina respond to the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832?

South Carolina declared the tariffs null and void within the state, leading to a standoff with President Andrew Jackson, who threatened federal enforcement.

Why did Texas secede from the Union in 1861?  

Texas seceded to protect slavery and to promote state government power, especially in the context of western expansion and states' rights.

What were the key amendments passed after the Civil War?  

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery, the 14th granted citizenship and equal rights, and the 15th guaranteed voting rights regardless of race.

 What role did segregation and Jim Crow laws play in Texas after the Civil War?  

Texas maintained segregation and white primaries, upheld by the Supreme Court decision in Plessy v. Ferguson, which legalized "separate but equal" facilities.

How did Texas benefit from cooperative federalism during the Great Depression?  

Texas workers and farmers benefited from federal New Deal programs, including jobs, social security, and agricultural assistance.

How did the Supreme Court reverse segregation in Brown v. Board of Education?  

The Court ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson and beginning federal enforcement of desegregation.

What was the significance of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965?  

These acts outlawed racial segregation and protected voting rights, with the federal government enforcing desegregation and racial equality.

What challenges arose from regulated federalism?

States, including Texas, resisted federal mandates that required spending to meet high levels of services, leading to friction over unfunded mandates.

What is fractured federalism?  

It refers to the growing political polarization where partisan preferences, rather than public consensus, drive government policies, complicating state-federal relations.

How did cooperative federalism incentivize states to cooperate with the federal government? 

States received financial rewards for participating in federal programs like the Affordable Care Act, but political polarization made bipartisan cooperation more difficult.

What is the role of multi-state lawsuits against the federal government?  

States have increasingly used lawsuits as a tool to challenge federal policies, often driven by partisan motives rather than the efficacy of the law.

How has Texas worked around federal regulations in certain policy areas?  

Texas has used "independent state grounds" to justify progressive policies in areas like property taxes and education services, despite federal inaction.

What was the impact of Shelby County v. Holder (2013) on voting in Texas?  

The Supreme Court decision removed federal preclearance for voting law changes, allowing Texas to alter its voting laws without federal approval, sparking controversy.

What arguments support and oppose state control over voting laws?

Proponents argue it is an extension of the 10th Amendment's reserved powers; detractors believe states may use this power to marginalize minority political groups.