Documents
This document begins with the words "We the People."
What is the U.S. Constitution?
This type of federalism describes a system in which national and state governments have clearly separated responsibilities.
What is dual (layer cake) federalism?
Under this governing document, Congress could not levy taxes directly on citizens.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
This branch can veto legislation passed by Congress.
What is the president (executive branch)?
This constitutional clause declares that federal law is the supreme law of the land.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
This Federalist Paper argues that a large republic helps control the effects of factions.
What is Federalist No. 10?
This Supreme Court case established that Congress has implied powers through the Necessary and Proper Clause.
What is McCulloch v. Maryland?
Unlike the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution created this executive position.
What is the presidency (executive branch)?
This power allows the Senate to reject a president's nominee for a federal judgeship.
What is advice and consent (Senate confirmation power)?
This compromise created a bicameral legislature with different methods of representation in each chamber.
What is the Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)?
This Anti-Federalist paper warned that a large republic would threaten individual liberty and state sovereignty.
What is Brutus No. 1?
This type of federalism is often described as a "marble cake" because national and state governments share responsibilities.
What is cooperative federalism?
One reason the Articles of Confederation failed was that Congress lacked this important fiscal power.
What is the power to tax?
This Supreme Court power allows the judicial branch to declare laws unconstitutional.
What is judicial review?
This clause has been used to justify many expansions of congressional authority beyond its enumerated powers.
What is the Necessary and Proper (Elastic) Clause?
This Federalist Paper explains why separating power among branches helps prevent tyranny.
What is Federalist No. 51?
In United States v. Lopez, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress exceeded its authority under this constitutional clause.
What is the Commerce Clause?
The Constitution replaced the Articles because many believed the national government needed this general characteristic.
What is a stronger national government?
If Congress overrides a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote, this constitutional principle is being demonstrated.
What are checks and balances?
This compromise counted enslaved persons as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.
What is the Three-Fifths Compromise?
This founding document states that governments derive "their just powers from the consent of the governed."
What is the Declaration of Independence?
According to Federalist No. 39, power is divided between the national and state governments in this constitutional principle.
What is federalism?
A state refuses to follow a federal environmental regulation. This matter would be settled by this added feature to the U.S. Constitution.
What is the supremacy clause?
The president signs an executive order that Congress believes exceeds presidential authority. Congress could use this power to remove the president from office.
What is impeachment?
This constitutional clause requires states to recognize the public acts, records, and court decisions of other states.
What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause?