Required Documents

Question 1

Enumerated powers

Answer 1

Powers of the federal government that are listed explicitly in the Constitution.
For example, Article I, Section 8, specifically gives Congress the power to coin money and regulate its value and to impose taxes.

Question 2

implied powers

Answer 2

Powers of the federal government that go beyond those enumerated in the Constitution, in accordance with the statement in the Constitution that Congress has the power to “make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution” the powers enumerated in Article 1.

Question 3

dual federalism

Answer 3

A system of goverment in which the states and the national government each remain supreme within their own spheres, each with different powers and policy responsibilties.

Question 4

cooperative federalism

Answer 4

A system of government in which states and the national government share powers and policy assignments.

Question 5

devolution

Answer 5

Transferring responsibility for policies from the federal government to state and local governments.

Question 6

fiscal federalism

Answer 6

The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system

Question 7

categorical grants

Answer 7

Funds for a narrow, specific purpose

Question 8

project grants

Answer 8

A subtype of categorical grants awarded on a competitive basis for specific projects

Question 9

formula grants

Answer 9

A subtype of categorical grants distributed according to a set formula (e.g. population, need

Question 10

block grants

Answer 10

Funds for a broad purpose (e.g. community development, social services)

Question 11

McCuloh V Maryland

Answer 11

Issue: Can Congress create a bank? Can a state tax it?

Ruling: Yes to the bank, no to the tax.

Winner: McCulloch (national government)

Impact: Expanded federal power using the elastic and supremacy clauses.

Question 12

Schneck V United States

Answer 12

Issue: Is anti-draft speech protected by the 1st Amendment?

Ruling: No – speech causing a “clear and present danger” isn’t protected.

Winner: United States

Impact: Limited free speech during wartime

Question 13

Brown V Board of education

Answer 13

Issue: Is school segregation legal?

Ruling: No – it’s unconstitutional.

Winner: Brown

Impact: Ended “separate but equal” in public schools.

Question 14

Baker V Carr

Answer 14

Issue: Can courts review redistricting cases?

Ruling: Yes – it’s not just a political issue.

Winner: Baker

Impact: Allowed courts to decide redistricting fairness.

Question 15

Engel V Vitale

Answer 15

Issue: Is school-sponsored prayer constitutional?

Ruling: No – it violates the Establishment Clause.

Winner: Engel (the families)

Impact: Banned school-led prayer.

Question 16

Gideon V Wainwright

Answer 16

Issue: Do poor defendants have a right to a lawyer?

Ruling: Yes – it’s part of a fair trial.

Winner: Gideon

Impact: Guaranteed right to a lawyer in criminal cases.

Question 17

Tinker V Des moines

Answer 17

Issue: Can schools ban peaceful student protests?

Ruling: No – students have free speech rights.

Winner: Tinker (students)

Impact: Protected symbolic speech in schools.

Question 18

New York Times V U.S

Answer 18

Issue: Can the government stop newspapers from publishing classified info?

Ruling: No – unless it poses serious harm.

Winner: New York Times

Impact: Strong protection against government censorship.

Question 19

Wisconsin V Yoder

Answer 19

Issue: Can Amish families skip school for religious reasons?

Ruling: Yes – religious freedom wins here.

Winner: Yoder (Amish families)

Impact: Strengthened the Free Exercise Clause.

Question 20

Shaw V Reno

Answer 20

Issue: Can race be the main reason for drawing voting districts?

Ruling: No – violates equal protection.

Winner: Shaw (white voters)

Impact: Limited race-based redistricting.

Question 21

U.S V Lopez

Answer 21

Issue: Can Congress ban guns near schools under the Commerce Clause?

Ruling: No – that power goes too far.

Winner: Lopez

Impact: Limited federal power under the Commerce Clause.

Question 22

Mcdonald V Chicago

Answer 22

Issue: Does the 2nd Amendment apply to states?

Ruling: Yes – through the 14th Amendment.

Winner: McDonald

Impact: Extended gun rights to state and local levels.

Question 23

Citzens unitd v FEC

Answer 23

Issue: Can the government limit corporate political spending?

Ruling: No – it’s protected speech.

Winner: Citizens United

Impact: Led to rise of Super PACs and unlimited campaign spending by groups.

Question 24

Marbury V Madison

Answer 24

Issue: Can the Supreme Court force delivery of a judge’s appointment?

Ruling: No – the Court said the law allowing that was unconstitutional.

Winner: Madison

Impact: Established judicial review (courts can strike down unconstitutional laws).

Question 25

civil rights act

Answer 25

Bans discrimination in public places & jobs

Question 26

title 9

Answer 26

Bans sex discrimination in schools

Question 27

voting rights act

Answer 27

Protects minority voting rights

Question 28

Plessy V Fergueson

Answer 28

Issue: Can Louisiana make train cars separate for black and white people under the 14th Amendment? Ruling: Yes – as long as the facilities are "equal," they can be separate. Winner: Ferguson (Louisiana) Impact: This decision created the "separate but equal" rule, allowing segregation to continue in public spaces for many years.

Question 29

Article 2 of the US Constituion

Answer 29

President Enforces the laws

Question 29

Article 1 of the US constituion

Answer 29

Congress Makes the laws (House and Senate).

Question 30

Article 3 of the US Constituion

Answer 30

Courts Interprets the laws.

Question 31

Article 4 of the US Constituion

Answer 31

Rules for states getting along

Question 32

Article 5 of the US Constituion

Answer 32

How to change the Constitution

Question 32

Article 6 of the US constituion

Answer 32

Supreme Law The Constitution is the highest law.

Question 33

Article 7 of the US constitiuon

Answer 33

Approval How the Constitution was accepted.