AP Gov Unit 1 Topic 1.6-1.9

What are grants-in-aid?

Money given by the national government to the states

What was the Guns Free School Act?

Made it a federal crime to bring a gun within 1,000 feet of a school

What is cooperative federalism?

A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government. - But the fed. gov has more power

What is federalism?

- A division of powers between national, state, and local governments - In a federal system, sovereignty is shared by the national (federal) and state governments - The relationship between the states and national government is dynamic because it has changed over time

What are congressional checks on the judicial branch?

- Alter the number of judges on the Court - Change the jurisdiction of lower courts & the appellate jurisdiction of the S.C. - Propose a constitutional amendment to override Court's decision - Pass legislation to limit the impact of a Court ruling confirm judicial nominees (Senate only) - Impeach federal judges

What can the executive powers do?

- Enforce laws -Make treaties - Commander-in-Chief - Grant pardons

What happened to the federal power during the Civil War/New Deal?

- Federal power grew during the civil war and then permanently expanded during the Great Depression when the federal government began taking an active role in the economy. - The New Deal is seen as the point of transition from dual to cooperative federalism

What can the Judicial powers do?

- Interpret laws - Review decisions of state and lower federal courts

What was the Defense of Marriage Act?

- It defined marriage for federal purposes as being between a man and woman only, and allowed states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriage licenses granted by other states - DOMA was ruled unconstitutional in U.S. v. Windsor (2013)

What is the significance of the commerce clause in the Civil Rights Act?

- It outlawed racial discrimination by businesses that serve the public such as restaurants, theaters, stores, etc. - Congress claimed the commerce

What are the disadvantages of federalism?

- It's tougher for the national government to make unified policies - At times states' rights may be used to perpetuate discrimination

What can congressional powers do?

- Make laws - Declare war

What are categorical grants?

- Money given to state governments for specific purposes. - Grants with strings attachted

What are the advantages of federalism?

- Multiple access points offers more opportunities for political participation - States can make policy specific to their individual needs - States can make policy in the absence of national consensus - States can be laboratories of democracy the federal government

What are Presidential checks on the Judiciary?

- Nominate federal judges - Ignore a Supreme Court ruling

What are a few congressional checks on the president?

- Override presidential veto (2/3 both houses) - Impeach the president - Refuse to pass a bill the president wants - Confirm presidential nominees (Senate only) - Ratify a treaty (Senate only)

What does Separation of powers & checks and balances do?

- Prevents any one branch or person from obtaining too much power - Provides multiple access points for stakeholders (citizens) and institutions to influence public policy - Ensures that the people's will is represented and freedom is preserved

What was US v. Lopez?

- The first modern limit on Congressional use of its commerce clause power - It introduced a new phase of federalism that emphasized

What do the state governments think about grants?

- They enjoy getting the federal money - They can tax its citizens less because of that federal money - They might lose power because it has to comply with federal rules to receive the money

What does the Federal government think about grants?

- They gain power by being able to influence policy in areas; the federal government does not have constitutional authority to deal with

What is dual federalism?

A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies.

What is the supremacy clause?

Constitution is the supreme law of the land

What are Judicial checks on the president?

Declare executive orders/presidential actions unconstitutional

What are Judicial checks on Congress?

Declare federal laws unconstitutional

What did Gibbons v. Ogden do?

Declared that ONLY Congress can regulate interstate commerce; States CANNOT

What are block grants?

Federal grants given more or less automatically to states or communities to support broad programs in areas such as community development and social services

What is the elastic clause?

It allows Congress to Stretch its powers as needed. - Implied powers

What is New Federalism?

Nixon's plan to distribute a portion of federal power to state and local governments

What are delegated powers?

Powers assigned to the national government

What are reserved powers?

Powers not listed in the constitution that only the states have.

What are implied powers?

Powers not specifically mentioned in the constitution

What are concurrent powers?

Powers shared by the federal and state governments

What are expressed powers?

Powers that are clearly stated in the constitution

What was McCulloch v. Maryland about?

Ruled that congress has the power to create a bank (because it is an implied power) but the states do not have the power to tax this bank because it is a national bank.

What is Federalist 51. about?

Separation of powers and checks and balances limit governmental power, control abuses by the majority, and protect minority rights

What are laboratories of democracy?

States can experiment with new policies and other states and the national government can observe the effects and choose whether to reject or implement a similar policy

What is revenue sharing?

The distribution of a portion of federal tax revenues to state and local governments.

What is the effect of the main 3 clauses?

The federal government's power has grown

What is the commerce clause?

The section of the Constitution in which Congress is given the power to regulate trade among the states and with foreign countries.

What is devolution?

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

What is separation of powers?

When the powers of the Federal government is divided into three separate but equal branches

What are Presidential checks on Congress?

veto legislation