Study Guide 4.90T: U.S. Constitution and the States

Vocabulary flashcards covering federalism, governmental powers, Article IV, interstate relations, and constitutional clauses from the study guide.

Federalism

A system dividing governmental authority between national and state governments.

Expressed Powers

Powers specifically written or listed in the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers reasonably inferred from powers specifically granted by the Constitution.

Reserved Powers

Powers remaining with the states or the people.

Concurrent Powers

Powers that both national and state governments may exercise.

Inherent Powers

Powers connected to the United States' status as a sovereign nation, especially in foreign affairs.

Police Power

State authority involving health, safety, welfare, and public order.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Constitutional provision in Article I, Section 8 that allows Congress to select reasonable constitutional methods for carrying out granted powers.

Tenth Amendment

Constitutional amendment supporting the principle that powers not delegated to the United States or prohibited to states remain with states or the people.

Supremacy Clause

Constitutional rule that gives the Constitution and valid federal laws priority when they conflict with state law.

Guarantee Clause

Article IV, Section 4 provision requiring every state to maintain a republican form of government.

Republican Government

Government in which authority comes from the people and is exercised through representatives under law.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Article IV, Section 1 provision requiring states to recognize certain public acts, records, and judicial proceedings from other states.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Constitutional clause that protects citizens against unjustified discrimination when entering another state.

Interstate Cooperation

States coordinating their actions to address a shared problem or need.

Interstate Compact

A legally binding agreement among participating states.

Compact Commission

A joint administrative body that manages shared rules and responsibilities under an interstate agreement.

Extradition

Formal process for returning an accused or convicted person to the state with criminal jurisdiction.

Demanding State

The state formally requesting that a fugitive be returned to its jurisdiction.

Judicial Proceeding

An official court action, order, decree, or judgment.

Territorial Integrity

Protection against one-sided division or combination of a state's territory.

Enabling Act

Authorization allowing a territory to organize a government and prepare a constitution.

Equal Footing Doctrine

Principle that newly admitted states enter with the same basic sovereignty as existing states.

Federal Aid / Federal Grants

National money that can support state and local programs.

Spending Power

Congressional authority identified as the primary basis for federal aid to states.

Domestic Violence (Article IV)

Serious internal disorder such as insurrection or widespread violent conflict.

Protection From Invasion

Constitutional responsibility of the national government to protect states from external attack.

James Madison

Author who explained in Federalist No. 45 that the federal government's delegated powers are 'few and defined.'

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Supreme Court case that supported Congress's use of implied powers to establish a national bank.

United States v. Curtiss-Wright Export Corp. (1936)

Supreme Court case used to illustrate inherent national powers associated with sovereignty and foreign affairs.

Emergency Management Assistance Compact

Interstate agreement that allows states to provide mutual assistance and resources during major emergencies.

Nurse Licensure Compact

Interstate agreement that allows eligible nurses to practice across participating jurisdictions through multistate licensing.

Colorado River Compact

An important interstate compact example involving shared water among states.