American Government Chapter 1-3 Review

Are all Americans equally able to become engaged in government? What factors make it more possible for some people to become engaged than others? What could be done to change this?

All Americans are not equally able to become engaged in government. Factors such as one's job status, wealth, age, and sex play a major role in this inequality. It seems those who are wealthier can become more easily engaged than those who live in poverty and do not have a lot of resources. A way to change this is to diversify government leaders which will encourage more people to get involved.

What does separation of powers mean?

An act of separating the national government into three branches, the legislative, executive, and judicial powers. The branches have to work together in order to govern the nation.

Is citizen engagement necessary for a democracy to function? Explain.

Citizen engagement is necessary for a democracy to function because, in order for representatives to fulfill the needs of the people, the people need to make their opinions and concerns heard.

What are the main differences between cooperative federalism and dual federalism?

In dual federalism there is a clear division of programs and authority among the local, state, and federal government while in cooperative federalism programs and authority is mixed.

What political activities can people engage in other than running for office?

Instead of running for office people can also engage in political activities by voting, going to political rallies, donating money to campaigns, and signing petitions.

What does it mean to refer to the carrot of grants and the stick of mandates?

It refers to grants and unfunded mandates that are used by the federal government to get states to work towards a national goal.

What kinds of people are most likely to become active in politics or community service?

People who are more educated, older, and wealthier are more likely to become active in politics and community service.

In what ways did Shays' Rebellion reveal the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Shays' Rebellion revealed that the national government could not help states that needed help. States were left to fend for themselves with their own soldiers because the national government did not have enough power to create their own military. The national government needed its own troops.

Do the Constitution and the Bill of Rights protect the life, liberty, and property of all Americans? Why or why not?

That is the intention of them but it's not always the case. For example the constitution and bill of rights does not protect citizens from the government spying on things like emails and internet searches. Also under the eminent domain the government has the right to take away private land for public use.

What key tenets of American political thought were influential in the decision to declare independence from Britain?

The American political thought was that the colonies should be able to self-govern themselves. The colonies also believed that the government should not deprive people of their liberties and should be restricted in its power over citizens' lives.

What did the Fourteenth Amendment achieve?

The Fourteenth Amendment gave African Americans freedom and equal protection under the laws, it also prohibited others from depriving them of their rights to life, liberty, and property without a legal reason.

Describe the advantages of federalism.

The benefits of federalism are that it can encourage political participation, give states an incentive to engage in policy innovation, and accommodate diverse viewpoints across the country.

What actions by the British government convinced the colonists that they needed to declare their independence?

The colonists felt the British government was neglecting them, the British government started taxing them unfairly, and the colonists did not have representation in Parliament.

Describe the disadvantages of federalism.

The disadvantages are that it can set off a race to the bottom among states, cause cross-state economic and social disparities, and obstruct federal efforts to address national problems.

What are the main functions of federal and state governments?

The main functions of the federal government are to provide for the general welfare of the populace, it can tax, borrow money, regulate interstate and foreign commerce, and protect property rights The main functions for state governments are plan and pay for most roads, run public schools, organize police and fire services, and establish zoning regulations.

What were the implications of McCulloch v. Maryland for federalism?

This ruling established the doctrine of implied powers, granting Congress a vast source of discretionary power to achieve its constitutional responsibilities.