Documents & Cases
What was the main argument of Federalist No. 51?
That the separation of powers and checks and balances would help prevent the central government from becoming too powerful.
Under the original Constitution, which part of the government was selected directly by the citizens?
The House of Representatives
What led to the creation of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists?
What did each support?
The concern over the size and power of the national government.
Federalists wanted a strong central government
Anti-Federalists wanted strong state government
Requirements that direct states or local governments to comply with federal rules under threat penalties or as a condition to receive a federal grant are known as what?
Mandates
How many states had to agree to a change to the Articles of Confederation?
How did this change with the Constitution?
AoC: All of them
Constitution: 3/4 of states
What was the main argument of Brutus No. 1?
That a strong central government would weaken the rights of the people and over time grow to control too much.
How did the Constitution count slaves in regards to taxation and representation?
It counted 3 out of every 5 slaves (60%)
Describe the social contract
This idea states that there is an implicit agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits, for example by sacrificing some individual freedom for state protection
The shared investigation of suspected terrorists following Sept. 11, 2001, among national, state, and local governments, is an example of what type of federalism?
Cooperative federalism
Explain the Necessary and Proper Clause and give the other name used for it.
Congress has the power to "make all laws necessary and proper" for carrying out expressed powers. Elastic Clause
What was the decision of United States v. Lopez and what was the court's reasoning for this?
The Gun Free School Zone Act was unconstitutional since it exceeded Congress' power to regulate commerce
All of the amendment to the Constitution have been proposed by Congress and ratified by state legislatures EXCEPT which amendment?
The 21st Amendment- ending Prohibition
Name and describe the three models of democracy.
Pluralist: interest groups try to influence government policies
Elite: elected representatives make government decisions
Participatory: depends on the participation by the people
Describe the differences between block grants and categorical grants.
Block grants: money given by the federal government to the states where the states have more power to determine where the money goes.
Categorical grants: money given by the federal government to the states where the money can only be used for specific purposes
What is the importance about the 3rd Section of the Declaration of Independence: Grievances?
It states the numerous reasons why the colonies are justified in declaring independence as the monarch had broken the social contract.
What was the overall argument of Federalist No. 10?
That a large republic was the best form of government to protect the rights of the people against political factions.
Which issue did the Great Compromise resolve? What was the end result?
How to determine representation in Congress
Bicameral with one house based on population and one based on equal representation
limited government: power given such as impeachment, veto, checks and balances
natural rights: no religious test required for public office, Bill of Rights
popular sovereignty: "We the People", HoR elections
republicanism: Congress is made of elected officials, presidential election
social contract: ability to change the Constitution through amendments
List 4 powers that belong to the federal government.
Coin money, establish and maintain the military, make treaties with other countries, establish post offices, citizenship and immigration, declare war, etc.
What happened as a result of the central government's inability to tax the people under the Articles of Confederation? (2 things)
Central government could not pay debt and other expenses (army wages) and had to borrow money from the states.
What was the decision of McCulloch v. Maryland and what was the court's reasoning for this?
Congress had the ability to establish a national bank through the use of implied powers
Describe the formal and informal methods of changing the constitution.
Formal: Congress makes and the states ratify a change to the wording of the Constitution
Informal: How the amendment is interpreted by the people and the Supreme Court
Give a belief regarding government for the following Enlightenment thinkers: Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu
Hobbes: man requires absolute government to temper evil instincts, social contract
Locke: inalienable rights, social contract, right to overthrow bad government, consent of the governed
Rousseau: popular sovereignty, direct democracy
Montesquieu; separation of powers and checks and balances
List 4 powers that belong to the states.
Drinking ages, education, marijuana usage (though still illegal federally), marriage, divorce, driver's licenses, occupational licenses, etc.
Describe the difference between enumerated, implied, concurrent, and reserved powers.
Enumerated: powers given to the federal government in the Constitution
Implied: Powers not directly stated but needed in order to carry out enumerated powers.
Concurrent: powers held by both national and state governments.
Reserved powers: powers given specifically to the states