F Unit 1

Question 1

Articles of Confederation

Answer 1

1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade) Each state retained sovereignty, the ability to act independently of the Confederation. Each state had equal representation in a unicameral (single house) legislature.

Question 2

Shays’ Rebellion

Answer 2

Rebellion led by farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out.

Question 3

Popular Sovereignty

Answer 3

A government in which the power starts with the people and rules only by the consent of the people.

Question 4

Federalists

Answer 4

Those who favored a stronger national government and weaker state governments. Supported the ratification of the Constitution.

Question 5

Anti-Federalists

Answer 5

Those who favored strong state governments and a weaker national government. Advocated for a bill of rights to formally address individual and state rights. Concerned about the concentration of power in a central government under the Constitution.

Question 6

Federalism

Answer 6

A system of government in which power and responsibilty is divided between the federal and state governments

Question 7

Supremacy Clause

Answer 7

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.

Question 8

Connecticut / Great Compromise

Answer 8

Compromise agreement by states at the Constitutional Convention for a bicameral legislature with a lower house in which representation would be based on population and an upper house in which each state would have two senators.

Question 9

Republican Democracy

Answer 9

Format chosen by Founding Fathers. People vote for representatives who then make laws. People do not vote directly on legislation.

Question 10

Federalist Paper 10

Answer 10

Written by James Madison to convince people to support the ratification of the constitution. Argued that factions were inevitable but were best controlled by a large republic that employed a Federalist structure. Argued that competition among factions would limit their negative impacts.

Question 11

Elastic Clause

Answer 11

AKA the “Necessary and Proper Clause” Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which allows Congress to make all laws that are “necessary and proper” to carry out the powers of the Constitution. Has allowed the federal government to expand its power over time.

Question 12

Commerce Clause

Answer 12

The clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations. Has helped the Federal government expand its power over time.

Question 13

Cooperative Federalism

Answer 13

A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government. Involves fiscal federalism when both governments are providing funding for a project.

Question 14

Dual Federalism

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Expressed/Enumerated Powers

Answer 15

Powers the Constitution specifically granted to one of the branches of the national government. Listed explicitly in the Constitution. Ex: right to coin money, declare war, regulate foreign and interstate trade, tax, etc.

Question 16

Implied Powers

Answer 16

Federal government powers not specifically mentioned in the constitution

Question 17

McCulloch v Maryland

Answer 17

The court ruled that the states did not have the power to tax the national bank. Used the backing of the Supremacy Clause to argue that states could not interfere with legitimate federal laws

Question 18

Reserved Powers

Answer 18

belong to the states and the people;

Question 19

Block Grants

Answer 19

Federal money given to the states with limited spending guidelines. Allows the states power to decide how to spend funds within relatively loose guidelines. Ex: funds for transportation and state chooses how to allocate.

Question 20

Categorical Grants

Answer 20

Federal money given to the states with specific spending guidelines and federal rules attached to the grants that states receive. States must agree to abide by these rules in order to receive the grants. Gives the federal government the power to decide how funds are spent within the state. Ex: funds for highway repairs if the state passed a certain law

Question 21

Devolution

Answer 21

The transfer of power from national govt. to state govt.. Example-Welfare Reform Act of 1996

Question 22

10th Amendment

Answer 22

Reserves powers to the states. Has been used successfully by the states to get the federal courts to strike down federal laws that violate this principle.

Question 23

Confederation

Answer 23

an alliance of independent states

Question 24

Americans with Disabilities Act

Answer 24

An example of an unfunded mandate, an order given by the federal government that states must follow and pay for

Question 25

Ratification

Answer 25

The Constitutional process by which the states must approve amendments to the Constitution. Three-quarters of the states must approve an amendment before it is ratified and officially becomes part of the Constitution. Another example of federalism in the Constitution’s structure.

Question 26

Intrastate commerce

Answer 26

Commerce WITHIN A STATE; commercial activity regulated at the state level

Question 27

interstate commerce

Answer 27

Commerce between different states, can be regulated by Congress.

Question 28

Welfare Reform Act

Answer 28

An example of devolution, giving states the authority to determine how to implement Welfare Programs and determine eligibility locally. Still use federal money.

Question 29

Social Contract

Answer 29

An agreement between the people and their government in which government protects the rights of the people.

Question 30

United States v Lopez

Answer 30

The Supreme Court ruled that Congress had exceeded its constitutional authority under the Commerce Clause when it passed a law prohibiting gun possession in local school zones. This increased state powers to regulate such matters while decreasing federal power

Question 31

Participatory theory

Answer 31

Broad participation in politics and civil society

Question 32

Elite theory

Answer 32

theory that upper class elites exercise great influence over public policy

Question 33

Pluralist theory

Answer 33

A theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies.