Unit 1C Vocab

Question 1

Federalism

Answer 1

A system of divided power between the national and state governments.

Question 2

Unitary system

Answer 2

A system where the central government has all the power over subnational governments.

Question 3

Confederal system

Answer 3

A system where the subnational governments have most of the power.

Question 4

Federal system

Answer 4

A system where power is divided between the national and states governments.

Question 5

Expressed or Enumerated powers

Answer 5

powers explicitly granted to the national government through the Constitution.

Question 6

Exclusive powers

Answer 6

Powers only the national government can exercise.

Question 7

Implied powers

Answer 7

Powers not granted specifically to the national government but considered necessary to carry out the expressed/enumerated powers.

Question 8

Commerce Clause

Answer 8

Clause in the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3) that grants Congress the authority to regulate interstate business and commercial activity.

Question 9

Necessary and Proper Clause

Answer 9

Clause of the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18) that grants the federal government the authority to pass laws required to carry out its enumerated powers.

Question 10

Supremacy Clause

Answer 10

Contained in Article VI of the Constitution, this clause establishes the Constitution and the laws of the federal government passed under its authority as the highest laws of the land.

Question 11

Tenth Amendment

Answer 11

Reserves powers not delegated to the national government to the states and the people; the basis of federalism.

Question 12

Reserved Powers

Answer 12

Powers not given to the national government, which are retained by the states and the people.

Question 13

Concurrent Powers

Answer 13

Powers granted to both states and the federal government in the Constitution.

Question 14

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Answer 14

Clause in the Constitution (Article 4, Section 1) requiring states to recognize the public acts, record, and civil court proceedings from another state.

Question 15

Fourteenth Amendment

Answer 15

Provides that persons born in the U.S are citizens and prohibits states from denying persons due process or equal protection under the law.

Question 16

Dual Federalism

Answer 16

State governments and national government operate independently in their own area of public policy. Powers and policy assignments of the layers of government were distinct.

Question 17

Cooperative federalism

Answer 17

States and national government work together to shape public policy. Sharing powers and policy assignments.

Question 18

Grants-in-aid

Answer 18

Federal money provided to states to implement public policy objectives.

Question 19

Fiscal Federalism

Answer 19

The federal government’s use of grants-in-aid to influence policies in states.

Question 20

Categorical Grants

Answer 20

Grants-in-aid provided to states with specific provisions on their use. More “strings attached” to the money.

Question 21

Unfunded Mandate

Answer 21

Federal requirements that states must follow without being provided with funding.

Question 22

Block Grants

Answer 22

Grants-in-aid that give state officials more authority in the disbursement of federal funds. Less “strings attached” to the money.

Question 23

Revenue Sharing

Answer 23

When the federal government apportions tax money to the states with no strings attached.

Question 24

Devolution

Answer 24

Returning more authority to state or local governments.

Question 25

Federal mandate

Answer 25

A requirement the federal government imposes as a condition for receiving federal funds.

Question 26

McCulloch v Maryland (1819)

Answer 26

Ruled that Congress has implied powers necessary to implement its enumerated powers and established supremacy of the U.S Constitution and federal laws over states law.

Question 27

U.S v Lopez (1995)

Answer 27

Ruled that Congress may not use the commerce clause to make possession of a gun in a school zone a federal crime, introducing a new phase of federalism that recognized the importance of state sovereignty and local control.