Ch. 4
This philosopher from the Enlightenment period greatly influenced Thomas Jefferson, particularly in his views on natural rights and government, with his ideas contributing to the Declaration of Independence.
Who is John Locke?
This person authored the entire VA Plan.
Who is James Madison?
True or False: It is illegal for the federal government to refuse funds to state governments for not complying with federal recommendations or laws.
True: the federal government can use grants to encourage states to comply with certain policies, even though they may not be required to follow them. This is often referred to as "coercive federalism," where funding is used as a way to influence state actions. (ex. drinking age of 21)
Name the authors of "Publius".
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.
The ___ amendment was created with the sole purpose to repeal the ___ amendment.
What is the 21st & 18th amendment.
Define Liberalism
The inherent right of the people to create and place limits on their government.
What were Montesquieu's main beliefs that influenced the U.S. Constitution?
Separation of Powers + Checks and Balances = Sharing of Powers
Owltown, USA, is frequently hit by natural disasters, and the mayor is consistently requesting federal aid to rebuild the town. However, the governor of the state has been allocating limited funds to help with the rebuilding efforts, making it difficult for Owltown to fully recover.
Question:
What type of federal grant could the mayor request to ensure that the funds are specifically designated for rebuilding efforts and are not subject to the state’s limitations?
The mayor could request a categorical grant. Categorical grants are designated for specific purposes (like rebuilding after natural disasters), and the funds must be used only for that purpose, bypassing state limitations.
This person refused to sign the U.S. Constitution due the lack of Bill of Rights & abolishment of slavery.
Who is George Mason?
This describes the concept that neither the national nor state governments may destroy the other in a federal system.
Dual Sovereignty
Locke belived that the people should have a _______ with the governement for it to be legitimate. Meaning the government is responsible to the people.
Fidicuary Contract
How many states must agree under the Articles of Confederation to pass a law? How many was needed to ratify the Constitution?
Law: Uniamous
Ratification: 9 states
This 1895 Supreme Court case, which upheld the doctrine of dual federalism, ruled that manufacturing, even as part of a large multinational corporation, was not subject to federal regulation because it was deemed intrastate commerce. This decision severely limited the federal government's power to regulate business practices.
What is U.S. v. E.C. Knight?
This secretive event, held in 1787, led to the drafting and replacement of the Articles of Confederation with the U.S. Constitution.
The Philadelphia Convention
This clause requires states to respect other states' decisions. Provide the term & an example.
What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause?
Which infamous leader is often cited as a prime example of majoritarian tyranny, where the leader’s rule reflected the oppressive will of the majority, leading to widespread harm for minority groups? Provide details about the leader's rise to power and the consequences of their rule.
Hitler is a primary example of majoritarian tyranny. He was legally elected by the people of Germany, and once in power, he used the support of the majority to promote nationalism. To consolidate his power, he scapegoated a specific demographic—primarily Jewish people—blaming them for Germany's problems. This led to oppressive laws, the systematic persecution of minorities, the outbreak of World War II, and the Holocaust.
Under the Articles of Confederation, voters were only allowed to vote for members of this body, which was the only part of the national government directly elected by the people, though it was limited in power.
What is the House of Representatives?
These are the powers explicitly listed in the U.S. Constitution for each branch of the federal government, ensuring that each has a defined scope of authority and preventing overreach. Examples include the power to tax, regulate commerce, and declare war for Congress, and the power to veto laws for the President.
What are enumerated powers?
What was the primary ruling of Gibbons v. Ogden?
The primary ruling of Gibbons v. Ogden was that the federal government has the exclusive power to regulate interstate commerce, and states cannot interfere with that power.
Describe the key concepts & differences of the VA Plan & NJ Plan.
Virginia Plan
New Jersey Plan
These individuals are known for manipulating emotions, prejudices, and fears to gain power, often using rhetoric that appeals to popular desires while disregarding rational argument or evidence. They typically undermine institutions and democratic norms to maintain control.
What are demagouges?
Name all 7 Articles of the U.S. Constitution & their purpose.
I. Legislative - Congress, Elections, Powers, & all things "necessary & proper"
II. Executive - President/Commander-in-Cheif
III. Judicial - Supreme Court, Federal Jurisdiction, Life Terms/Tenure, Judicial Review
IV. Leftovers - "Full Faith & Credit" & Reserved Powers
V. Amending - Proposal: 2/3 or 66% of H & S or convention called by 2/3 of the states; Ratification: 3/4 or 75% of state legislatures, conventions in 3/4 states
VI. Supermacy- Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land
VII. Original Ratification - 9 states were need to ratify the Constitution
In this 1905 decision, the Supreme Court used an expansive interpretation of the "freedom of contract" to strike down state laws regulating wages, working hours, and conditions, even though such regulations were designed to protect workers from exploitation. This case, often viewed as an example of judicial activism, contributed to a broader trend of limiting state powers to regulate labor during the early 20th century. It was later overturned by subsequent rulings.
What is Lochner v. New York (1905)?
Thomas Hobbes, in his influential work Leviathan, proposed a theory on how governments formed. Based on his concept of the "state of nature," Hobbes argued that people willingly gave up some of their liberties to form governments. How did Hobbes view the role of government in relation to political legitimacy, and why was this idea subversive during his time, particularly regarding the role of monarchies and the emerging push for self-government?
What did the Enlightenment period do for American government?
-Social Contract Theory: The idea that governments should be formed through the consent of the governed. This idea is reflected in the Constitution, where authority is derived from the people, and leaders are elected by popular vote.
-Promoted Democracy/Liberalism: Enlightenment thinkers emphasized the importance of individual liberty, democratic participation, and government accountability. These ideas shaped the U.S. Bill of Rights and the broader American system of government, which focused on protecting citizens' freedoms.
-Separation of Powers: Philosophers like Montesquieu argued for the separation of government powers into three branches (executive, legislative, and judicial) to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. This principle directly influenced the design of the U.S. Constitution.