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Government Basics
Lead Up to the US Constitution
US Constitution
Federalism
Random
100

What are the 7 articles of the constitution in order?

Legislative, Executive, Judicial, States, Amendment process, supremacy clause, and ratification.

100

What was the main idea behind Federalist 51?

the separation of powers and a system of checks and balances—is designed to prevent tyranny by ensuring that each branch of government checks the others, thereby preserving liberty and controlling the abuses of power

100
Explain why the Framers of the US Constitution added the Bill of Rights.
The Bill of Rights was added to address concerns from Anti-Federalists. In order to get more people to support and ratify the US Constitution, the Federalists promised to add a list of liberties that the national government could not deny.
100
Which constitutional amendment is the basis for FEDERALISM?
The 10th Amendment
100
Who is responsible for first writing that the main roles of government should be to protect "life, liberty, and property"?
JOHN LOCKE...Thomas Jefferson incorporated his ideas in the Declaration of Independence
200

What is popular soverignty?

government’s authority, legitimacy, and legal power are created and sustained by the consent of its people, who are the source of all political power

200
Identify two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
Many answers are possible, here are some of them: - weak national government - no president, thus weak enforcement of rules - no unity among states - each state had its own currency
200
Describe the importance of the "Necessary and Proper Clause".
This clause allows the national government to STRETCH their powers and take actions that are not necessarily listed in the US Constitution in order to allow the government to perform their enumerated powers.
200
Describe the concept of DUAL FEDERALISM aka LAYER CAKE FEDERALISM.
The national and state governments operated independently of one another. Each level has separate powers and do no interact.
200
List one BENEFIT and one DISADVANTAGE of FEDERALISM.
Possible benefits: - allows states to test out new policies like laboratories - provides people more access points to the government through local and state levels since the country is large geographically Possible disadvantages: - Complex, with many layers of govt to deal with - Duplication of offices and functions - Conflicts of authority may arise between the different levels
300

Describe the difference between participatory and pluralist democracy.

participatory is direct, broad citizen involvement in policy change where as pluralist power is dispersed amongst various organized groups. 

300
What was the result of the GREAT COMPROMISE?
Two chamber legislature: - The HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that is based upon a state's population, represents the "people" - The US SENATE, whereby each state receives equal representation, originally meant to represent STATE interests
300
Why was the 3/5 Compromise controversial?
Slaves were counted as 3/5 of a person in order to appease southern states who wanted their slave populations to count towards their representation in the House and in the Electoral College. Nevertheless, slaves were not allowed to vote and were treated like property throughout much of the country.
300
Describe the concept of COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM aka MARBLE CAKE FEDERALISM.
States and the national government powers are intertwined like a marble cake.
300
What role did SHAYS'S REBELLION play in helping bring an end to the ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION?
The rebellion of furious farmers in Massachusetts showed the weakness of the the Articles in quickly resolving this armed revolt. This was a big turning point in creating a new government.
400
What did Thomas Hobbes view was the important function of government?
Many answers are possible: Students should know that Hobbes felt that government should be mainly responsible for keeping order and protecting the people from themselves. Hobbes felt that the government do whatever was necessary to provide order...even if that meant limiting individual liberty.
400
What was the purpose of the FEDERALIST PAPERS?
They were originally written to persuade New York and other Anti-Federalists to support and ratify the US Constitution.
400

What does the "Interstate Commerce Clause" allow the national government to do and not do?

The national government can regulate business that happens between states and with foreign nations. HOWEVER, states can regulate INTRAstate business (transactions/commerce) within their borders without federal interference.

400
How does a CATEGORICAL GRANT differ from a BLOCK GRANT?
A CATEGORICAL GRANT is money given from the national government to states that must be spent for a specific purpose (more strings attached) A BLOCK GRANT is money given from the national government to states, but states have more flexibility in spending the money.
400
What is the meaning of the FULL FAITH AND CREDIT CLAUSE?
States must honor the laws, judicial proceedings that take place in other states. This includes states honoring driver licenses and marriage licenses.
500
Explain why America’s Founding Fathers were suspicious of implementing a Direct Democracy in the United States.
Answers are various: The gist is that the Founders were fearful that most Americans did not have the education/ability to make good decisions. They felt that people should choose others, who would be more educated and responsible in carrying out the role of government.
500
What was the main argument of Federalist #10?
FACTIONS are inevitable in a free society, thus a functioning government must limit their ill effects rather than banning them in their entirety. Checks and balances, federalism, and separation of powers are the means of decentralization that Madison felt would limit the influence of factions.
500
A. According to the US Constitution, list one way to PROPOSE an amendment. B. According to the US Constitution, list one way to RATIFY an amendment.
A. PROPOSAL: 1. 2/3 of each chamber of Congress must agree to propose or 2. 2/3 of state legislatures call for national convention B. RATIFY: 1. 3/4 of state legislatures must agree to rafity or 2. 3/4 of states agree to ratify at a national convention
500

How does cooperative federalism differ from dual federalism in terms of the relationship between state and federal governments

Cooperative federalism involves shared responsibilities and collaboration between state and federal governments, while dual federalism maintains strict separation of their powers

500
List the 2 important precedents that resulted from McCulloch v. Maryland (1824).
1. States could not tax the federal government via the SUPREMACY CLAUSE 2. The NECESSARY AND PROPER CLAUSE allows the national government to create a national bank even though this is not a enumerated power in the Constitution.