Government Change and Federalism (Notes)

What is federalism?

A system of government where power is shared between national and state governments.

What powers does the national government have under federalism?

Powers like issuing currency and managing defense and foreign policy.

What powers are shared in federalism?

Powers like taxation that both state and national governments can exercise.

What powers are reserved to the states?

Issuing licenses and many laws related to daily life and local governance.

Why is federalism beneficial?

It allows states to address their unique needs while sharing national responsibilities.

How did federalism develop in the U.S.?

States joined together for independence but wanted to keep individual sovereignty.

What does the 10th Amendment state?

Powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people.

What conflicts have arisen from federalism?

Disputes over banking

What is the 13th Amendment?

Abolished slavery in the United States in 1865.

What is the 14th Amendment?

Granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to former slaves.

What is the 15th Amendment?

Granted voting rights to Black men regardless of race.

What is the 16th Amendment?

Authorized the federal income tax.

What is the 17th Amendment?

Allowed for the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people.

What is the 18th Amendment?

Prohibited the sale and consumption of alcohol.

What is the 19th Amendment?

Gave women the right to vote.

What is the 21st Amendment?

Repealed the 18th Amendment and ended Prohibition.

What is the 24th Amendment?

Abolished the poll tax which restricted voting rights for poor and Black citizens.

What is the 26th Amendment?

Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.

What happened in the election of 1800?

Thomas Jefferson peacefully replaced John Adams marking the first peaceful transfer of power.

How did the Civil War expand federal power?

The Union used federal authority to force Confederate states back and protect freed slaves.

What is progressivism?

A political ideology supporting social change through government action.

How did the New Deal expand government power?

It introduced economic regulation welfare programs and eliminated the gold standard.

What was the Great Society?

LBJ’s programs to eliminate poverty and racial injustice with expanded federal involvement.

What is executive privilege?

The president's power to resist legal inquiries about confidential executive communications.

What is the War Powers Act?

A 1973 law requiring congressional approval for extended military action.

What is the Interstate Commerce Clause?

Gives Congress the power to regulate trade between states and with foreign nations.

What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?

Allows Congress to make laws needed to execute its constitutional powers.

What did Gibbons v. Ogden decide?

Congress controls interstate commerce expanding federal power.

What did Marbury v. Madison establish?

Judicial review which allows courts to void unconstitutional laws.

What role has judicial review played?

It allowed courts to enforce civil rights and check legislative and executive branches.

What are the roles of local government?

They manage services like policing schools roads housing and recreation.

What was McCulloch v. Maryland?

Ruled that Congress has implied powers and states can't interfere with federal actions.

What did United States v. Nixon rule?

The President is not above the law and must comply with judicial orders.

What was the Dred Scott decision?

Ruled enslaved people were property not citizens with no legal rights.

What did Korematsu v. US decide?

Internment of Japanese Americans during WWII was constitutional.

What did Roe v. Wade establish?

The right to privacy extends to a woman's choice to have an abortion.

What did Citizens United v. FEC decide?

Restrictions on political spending by corporations violate free speech.

What did Plessy v. Ferguson decide?

Upheld segregation under "separate but equal" doctrine.

What did Brown v. Board of Education decide?

Segregation in public schools is unconstitutional.

What did Tinker v. Des Moines decide?

Students have First Amendment rights in school within limits.

What did Regents of UC v. Bakke decide?

Affirmative action is allowed but racial quotas are not.

What did Mapp v. Ohio decide?

Illegally obtained evidence cannot be used in state trials.

What did Gideon v. Wainwright decide?

Poor defendants have the right to a lawyer in criminal cases.

What did Miranda v. Arizona decide?

Defendants must be informed of their rights when arrested.

What is the structure of Texas government?

It has three branches like the federal government: legislative executive and judicial.

How is the Texas Legislature structured?

It is bicameral with a 150-member House and 31-member Senate.

What is the Texas Legislature's schedule?

It meets every other year for 140 days with special sessions called by the governor.

What is the Texas appropriations process?

It involves budget drafting by the Legislative Budget Board and approval by both chambers.

What is a line-item veto?

The governor can remove specific spending items from a bill before signing.

How is the Texas executive branch different?

It is weaker and has multiple independently elected officials.

Who holds power in the Texas Senate?

The Lieutenant Governor who controls committee appointments and legislative agenda.

How is the Texas judiciary structured?

It is complex with overlapping jurisdictions and separate courts for civil and criminal appeals.

What are Texas's top appellate courts?

The Texas Supreme Court for civil cases and the Court of Criminal Appeals for criminal cases.

How are Texas judges selected?

They are elected by the people though vacancies are filled by gubernatorial appointment.