Federlism

Supremacy Clause

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits. Significance: This is important because it states that the constitution is the supreme law of the land. If a law doesn't match with the constitution, the constitution over rules and gets rid of it.

Cooperative Federalsim

The states and national gov cooperate in solving complex common problems. Significance: This is important because it showed how the states and federal government had things in common when it came to ideas. They are both worked together to help better the country.

Article 1 Section 8: Necessary and Proper Clause "Elastic Clause"

(Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the Constitution setting forth the implied powers of Congress. It states that Congress, in addition to its express powers, has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government. Significance: This is important because it gives allows congress to add laws in the future if it seems fit to help uphold the country.

Seventeenth Amendment

1913 constitutional amendment allowing American voters to directly elect US senators. Significance: This is important because it made it possible so the people could directly vote for the senators in each state. It made the government more of a democracy since there was more of a say in the citizens.

Coercive Federalsim

A form of federalism where the federal govt pressures the states to change their policies by using regulations, mandates, and conditions. Significance: This is important because it gave government control and if the states want to pass something the federal government can decline it and cut its funding.

Ex Post Facto Laws

A law which punishes people for a crime that was not a crime when it was committed. Congress cannot pass these laws. Significance: This is important because it make it illegal to charge someone for a crime that is legal now that was then illegal. It makes sure someone isn't falsely accused.

Extradition

A legal process whereby an alleged criminal offender is surrendered by the officials of one state to officials of the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed. Significance: This is important because it make sure that someone who commits a crime then flees is brought back to the state to be prosecuted.

Federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments. Significance: This is important because it makes sure that the central government doesn't have too much control over a the citizens. Which allows both the State and the Federal governments to share powers.

Unfunded Mandate

Actions imposed by the federal or state government on lower levels of government which are not accompanied by the money needed to fund the action required. Significance: It is important because it makes sure something specific is made so their is more control.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

Allows federal control of interstate commerce under commerce clause of the Constitution. Significance: This is important because it provides the government the right to control the interstate commerce, which gave the federal government more power.

Tenth Amendment

Amendment stating that the powers not delegated to the federal gov. are reserved to the states. Significance: This is important because any power not specifically given to the national government goes to the states which relates to the concept of federalism since the powers are being distributed, and shared by both state and federal governments.

Interstate Compact

An agreement among two or more states. Congress must approve most such agreements. Significance: This is important because it makes sure that the states don't try to raise up and rebel against the federal government.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Constitution's requirement that each state accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. Significance: This is important because it makes sure that in each state the laws are the same. For example having a drivers license from one state qualifies the driver to drive in all 50 states.

Categorical Grants

Federal grants for specific purposes, such as building an airport. Significance: This is important because it allowed the government to bribe the states to do something that they need done. It makes sure the government gets something they want done rather than something else.

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. Significance: This is important because it allows the government to give money to support its citizens. This allows the state to use federal money for what they need done to help the community.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Maryland had attempted to impede operation of a branch of the Second Bank of the United States by imposing a tax on all notes of banks not chartered in Maryland. Significance: This is important because it showed how the constitution and federal government are over everything.

Reserved Powers

Powers given to the state government alone. Significance: This is significant because it is also known as the 10th Amendment to the Constitution: any powers not specifically given to the national government is reserved for the states. This amendment kept the concept of federalism because the powers are shared/split between states and national government.

Concurrent Powers

Powers held jointly by the national and state governments. Significance: This is significant because it is shared powers which allow both the state and federal government to put in their two cents and enforce what they believe.

Implied Powers

Powers not specifically mentioned in the Constitution. Significance: This is important because it gives the government the powers to complete tasks with out it being specifically mentioned in the Constitution.

Delegated Powers

Powers specifically given to the federal government by the US Constitution, for example, the authority to print money. Significance: This is important because it tell Federal Government what powers and controls they have.

Enumerated/Expressed Powers

Powers that Congress have that are specifically listed in the Constitution. Significance: This is important because it tells Congress what it powers they have.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

States are prohibited from unreasonably discriminating against residents of other states (article 4.) Significance: This is important because it makes sure that the states don't discriminate anyone. It also makes sure someones liberties aren't infringed on.

Sixteenth Amendment

The constitutional amendment adopted in 1913 that explicitly permitted Congress to levy an income tax. Significance: This is important because it allows the government the right to build things with taxes from the citizens.

Inherent Powers

The powers of the national government in foreign affairs that the Supreme Court has declared do not depend on constitutional grants but rather grow out of the very existence of the national government. Significance: This is important because it gives the president and Congress powers to reasonable that helps get the job done right.

Devolution

The process whereby regions within a state demand and gain political strength and growing autonomy at the expense of the central government. Significance: It is important because it allows state and local government to get control and powers that the federal government loses. This shows the split and shared powers in government.