All flashcards
Flashcard 1: Which case established the principle of national supremacy?
Answer: McCulloch v. Maryland. This 1819 case affirmed federal law supremacy over states.
Flashcard 2: What is meant by 'implied powers'?
Answer: Powers not explicitly stated but necessary to implement enumerated powers. These derive from the Necessary and Proper Clause interpretation.
Flashcard 3: What is the significance of the 17th Amendment?
Answer: It established the direct election of U.S. Senators. Ratified in 1913, it made senators directly accountable to voters.
Flashcard 4: What is the purpose of the Extradition Clause?
Answer: To ensure states return fugitives to the state where they committed a crime. Article IV requires interstate cooperation in criminal justice.
Flashcard 5: Identify the clause that allows Congress to regulate interstate commerce.
Answer: The Commerce Clause. Article I, Section 8 grants this broad economic power.
Flashcard 6: Identify the term for powers shared by both federal and state governments.
Answer: Concurrent powers. Examples include taxation, law enforcement, and building roads.
Flashcard 7: Which concept describes the federal and state governments' shared powers?
Answer: Concurrent powers. Examples include taxation, law enforcement, and building roads.
Flashcard 8: What is meant by 'enumerated powers'?
Answer: Powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution. These are specifically listed in Article I, Section 8.
Flashcard 9: What is the main principle of the 10th Amendment?
Answer: Powers not delegated to the U.S. are reserved to the states or the people. It reinforces the concept of limited federal government.
Flashcard 10: What is cooperative federalism?
Answer: A system where state and national governments collaborate on policy issues. Also called marble cake federalism due to intermingled responsibilities.
Flashcard 11: Which case limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause in 1995?
Answer: United States v. Lopez. Court ruled gun-free school zones exceeded commerce power.
Flashcard 12: Identify the case that established the concept of implied powers.
Answer: McCulloch v. Maryland. This 1819 ruling affirmed federal supremacy and implied powers.
Flashcard 13: Which case held that Congress could regulate interstate commerce?
Answer: Gibbons v. Ogden. This 1824 decision defined commerce broadly to include navigation.
Flashcard 14: What is new federalism?
Answer: A political philosophy aimed at returning powers to the states. Promoted by Reagan, it sought to reduce federal mandates.
Flashcard 15: Identify the constitutional basis for Congress's power to tax.
Answer: The Taxing and Spending Clause. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress broad fiscal authority.
Flashcard 16: Which case expanded federal power under the Commerce Clause in 1824?
Answer: Gibbons v. Ogden. This ruling strengthened federal authority over interstate trade.
Flashcard 17: What is the Commerce Clause?
Answer: It gives Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among states. Found in Article I, Section 8, it's a key federal power.
Flashcard 18: Which Supreme Court case established judicial review?
Answer: Marbury v. Madison. This 1803 case gave courts power to declare laws unconstitutional.
Flashcard 19: What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
Answer: It grants Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for executing its duties. Also called the Elastic Clause, it expands congressional authority.
Flashcard 20: Identify the amendment that reserves powers to the states.
Answer: The 10th Amendment. It protects state sovereignty by limiting federal government scope.
Flashcard 21: What does the Elastic Clause allow Congress to do?
Answer: Pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers. This flexible clause has greatly expanded federal authority over time.
Flashcard 22: Identify the amendment that reserves powers to the states.
Answer: The 10th Amendment. It protects state sovereignty by limiting federal government scope.
Flashcard 23: Which case limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause in 1995?
Answer: United States v. Lopez. Court ruled gun-free school zones exceeded commerce power.
Flashcard 24: What is dual federalism?
Answer: A system where state and national governments remain supreme within their own spheres. Also called layer cake federalism, it minimizes overlap.
Flashcard 25: Which Supreme Court case established judicial review?
Answer: Marbury v. Madison. This 1803 case gave courts power to declare laws unconstitutional.
Flashcard 26: What is meant by 'enumerated powers'?
Answer: Powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution. These are specifically listed in Article I, Section 8.
Flashcard 27: Identify the clause that allows Congress to regulate interstate commerce.
Answer: The Commerce Clause. Article I, Section 8 grants this broad economic power.
Flashcard 28: Which case expanded federal power under the Commerce Clause in 1824?
Answer: Gibbons v. Ogden. This ruling strengthened federal authority over interstate trade.
Flashcard 29: Which case held that Congress could regulate interstate commerce?
Answer: Gibbons v. Ogden. This 1824 decision defined commerce broadly to include navigation.
Flashcard 30: What does the Elastic Clause allow Congress to do?
Answer: Pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers. This flexible clause has greatly expanded federal authority over time.