Name:
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1. Which government system is the most popular, both historically and today?
a.
A unitary system
b.
A confederal system
c.
A federal system
d.
A bicameral system
e.
A grassroots system
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Federalism and It’s Alternatives
2. In unitary government systems, ultimate authority resides at the ________ level.
a.
state or provincial
b.
local or municipal
c.
regional
d.
national or central
e.
individual
d
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A Unitary System
3. All of the following is true about a confederal system EXCEPT
a.
it is opposite of a unitary system.
b.
it was the form of government used in the United States under the Articles of Confederation.
c.
the central government has only those powers granted to it by the states.
d.
it is the form of government used in the United States today.
e.
few, if any, true confederations exist.
d
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A Confederal System
4. All of the following statements concerning a federal system of government are true EXCEPT
a.
they always have a bicameral legislature.
b.
they are divided between a central government and regional, or subdivisional, governments.
c.
some powers are bestowed upon the central government, and others are granted to the regional governments.
d.
power is not concentrated in a unicameral legislature within a strong central government.
e.
power is exercised by the national government only insofar as these powers are granted by the states.
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A Federal System
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5. The federal system in the United States occurred because of
a.
disputes involving freedom of religion.
b.
consensus that unitary government threatens liberty.
c.
unitary failure.
d.
a series of compromises.
e.
copying the continental European political model.
Why Federalism?
6. Which of the following is NOT a sound argument for a federalist system of government?
a.
The large area or population of some nations makes it impractical to locate all political authority in one place.
b.
Federalism brings government closer to the people.
c.
Federalism offers a “training ground” for national leaders.
d.
States are testing grounds for new government initiatives.
e.
Federalism allows powerful state and local interests to block progress and impede national plans.
Other Arguments for Federalism
7. Which of the following is an argument against federalism?
a.
That too much inequity exists between states in a federal system
b.
That it prevents creation of a strong party system
c.
The rigidity of the national government in confronting change
d.
That it is difficult for governors to become president
e.
That it is too simplistic for a nation with a large geographic area and population
Arguments against Federalism
8. According to the Constitution, if a state or local law conflicts with a national law,
a.
the law must be put to a popular vote.
b.
the law is null and void.
c.
the local law prevails.
d.
the national law supercedes the state or local law.
e.
the state law will prevail.
9. A special category of national powers that is not implied by the necessary and proper clause consists of what have been
labelled _____ powers of the national government.
a.
the inherent
b.
the enumerated or expressed
c.
reserved
d.
concurrent
e.
in the necessary and proper clause.
Powers of the National Government
10. Which clause of the Constitution allows Congress to carry out whatever law it needs to in order to carry out the
Constitution’s provisions?
a.
Necessary and proper clause
b.
Supremacy clause
c.
Concurrent clause
d.
Reserved powers clause
e.
Due process clause
Powers of the National Government
11. Examples of enumerated powers belonging exclusively to the national government include
a.
declaring war and coining money.
b.
taxation and establishment of courts.
c.
regulating commerce and crime within states.
d.
regulating public schools and divorces.
e.
taxing exports and holding elections.
Powers of the National Government
12. Inherent powers derive from the fact that the United States is
a.
a democratic republic.
b.
a confederation formed by state governments.
c.
a sovereign power among nations.
d.
a federal system.
e.
explicitly entitled by the Constitution to annex new territory.
The Constitutional Basis for American Federalism
Name:
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1
Powers of the National Government
13. The Tenth Amendment states that the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by
it to the states, are
a.
the sole authority of Congress.
b.
reserved to the central government.
c.
reserved to the states, or to the people.
d.
the sole authority of the executive branch.
e.
subject to judicial review.
50
Powers of the State Governments
14. Their ________ power enables states to pass laws governing such activities as marriage, contracts, education, and land
use.
a.
commerce clause
b.
enumerated
c.
emergency
d.
necessary and proper
e.
police
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Powers of the State Governments
15. Powers held jointly by the national and state governments are called
a.
cooperative powers.
b.
statutory powers.
c.
reserved powers.
d.
concurrent powers.
e.
inherent powers.
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Concurrent Powers
16. States may NOT
a.
license marriages.
b.
pass laws regulating contracts.
Name:
Class:
Date:
c.
regulate divorce.
d.
negotiate treaties with foreign nations.
e.
impose taxes on income.
Prohibited Powers
17. Constitutionally, which two sets of powers do state governments have?
a.
Enumerated and expressed powers
b.
Reserved and concurrent powers
c.
Direct and inherent powers
d.
Expressed and implied powers
e.
Inherent and police powers
The Supremacy Clause
18. The supremacy clause of the Constitution means that
a.
the original Constitution is superior to any amendment.
b.
the original states have a superior status when dealing with states created after 1789.
c.
states cannot use their powers to thwart national policies.
d.
Congress cannot pass legislation that would violate state laws or constitutions.
e.
treaties with foreign governments cannot overturn state laws.
The Supremacy Clause
19. Which is an example of an interstate compact?
a.
The rules set forth in Article IV of the Constitution
b.
The Bill of Rights
c.
The Alien and Sedition Acts
d.
The Marbury v. Madison decision
e.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Interstate Relations
20. Each state must do all of the following concerning other states EXCEPT
a.
give full faith and credit to one another’s public civil acts.
Name:
Class:
Date:
b.
enforce each other’s laws.
c.
give full faith and credit to each other’s public records.
d.
gve full faith and credit to one another’s public legal proceedings.
e.
return people fleeing from justice to the state where the crime occurred.
b
Interstate Relations
21. Under what circumstances may states enter into agreements with one another?
a.
The agreements may not increase the power of the contracting states relative to other states or to the federal
government.
b.
All states in that region must approve of the agreement.
c.
Three-fourths of both states’ legislators must approve the agreement.
d.
A majority of the people in each state must approve of the agreement.
e.
The combined population of the two agreeing states must be smaller than the population of the largest U.S.
state.
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Interstate Relations
22. In the early years, most of the disputes over the boundaries of national versus state power involved
a.
different interpretations of the inherent powers of the national government.
b.
the role of the national government in mediating disputes between the states.
c.
the ability of the states to enter into international treaties.
d.
the enforcement of the Bill of Rights.
e.
the necessary and proper clause and the powers of the national government to regulate interstate commerce.
1
Defining Constitutional Powers—The Early Years
23. From 1801 to 1835, the Supreme Court was headed by Chief Justice __________.
a.
Henry Clay.
b.
Samuel Alito.
c.
John Jay.
d.
John Marshall.
e.
Roger Taney.
1
Defining Constitutional Powers—The Early Years
Name:
Class:
Date:
24. All of the following are true about the case of McCulloch v. Maryland EXCEPT
a.
the case dealt with the issue of implied powers of the federal government.
b.
one issue was whether the federal government could create a national bank.
c.
the decision allowed the federal government to grow and expand.
d.
the decision upheld the right of the federal government to use the necessary and proper clause.
e.
the Supreme Court ruled the national government could only use its express powers.
Defining Constitutional Powers—The Early Years
25. In his ruling on Gibbons v. Ogden, Marshall defined commerce as
a.
any business dealings between legally incorporated organizations.
b.
any business dealing requiring an operating license.
c.
all business dealings having to do with the physical exchange of currency.
d.
all business dealings, including navigation and the transport of people.
e.
only the shipment of goods.
Defining Constitutional Powers—The Early Years
26. The section of the Constitution in which Congress is given the authority to regulate trade among the states and with
foreign countries is called the
a.
oversight clause.
b.
commerce clause.
c.
supremacy clause.
d.
necessary and proper clause.
e.
interstate compact clause.
Defining Constitutional Powers—The Early Years
27. In the 1930s and subsequent decades, the ______ became the primary constitutional basis for national government
regulation.
a.
commerce clause
b.
Bill of Rights
c.
necessary and proper clause
d.
Treaty of Versailles
e.
Work Projects Administration (WPA)
28. The controversy over slavery that led to the Civil War took the form of a dispute over
a.
national government supremacy versus the rights of the separate states.
b.
interstate commerce.
c.
the application of the Bill of Rights to the states.
d.
taxation.
e.
the admission of Texas into the Union.
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States’ Rights and the Resort to Civil War
29. During the Jacksonian era (1829–1837), a shift toward ______ began.
a.
a service sector-based economy
b.
women’s suffrage
c.
more activist international intervention
d.
a strong national government
e.
states’ rights
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States’ Rights and the Resort to Civil War
30. On December 20, 1860, ______ formally repealed its ratification of the Constitution and withdrew from the Union.
a.
Alabama
b.
South Carolina
c.
Louisiana
d.
Georgia
e.
Virginia
b
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States’ Rights and the Resort to Civil War
31. Ultimately, the Civil War resulted in
a.
the end of the idea that social problems should be dealt with by the national government.
b.
the expansion of the agricultural sector of the U.S. economy.
c.
a shift from a federal to a confederal system of government.
d.
an increase in states’ rights.
e.
an increase in the political power of national government.
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Defining Constitutional Powers—The Early Years
Name:
Class:
Date:
1
32. A model of federalism that looks on national and state governments as co-equal sovereign powers, neither of which
should interfere in the other’s sphere is called
a.
confederalism.
b.
cooperative federalism.
c.
dual federalism.
d.
separate-but-equal federalism.
e.
post-war federalism.
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Dual Federalism
33. Post Civil War, the doctrine of dual federalism meant
a.
a significant increase in the powers of the national government.
b.
a “return to normalcy” for many.
c.
continued expansion of the North’s wartime powers.
d.
allowing the national government to regulate all state actions affecting African Americans.
e.
allowing the state and national governments to interfere in each other’s areas of influence.
b
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Dual Federalism
34. During the Civil War crisis, the Supreme Court
a.
was drastically reduced in its influence within the United States.
b.
continued as the legitimate constitutional umpire.
c.
gained additional power, along with the rest of the national government.
d.
ruled that the initial plan of Congress to reconstruct the South was unconstitutional.
e.
had supported the abolition of slavery in the years leading up to the war.
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Dual Federalism
35. In 1918, the Supreme Court ruled that an earlier national law banning child labor was unconstitutional, because
a.
the rights of children are no different from those of adults.
b.
it attempted to regulate a local problem.
c.
it gave too much discretion to states.
Name:
Class:
Date:
d.
it was unenforceable.
e.
it interfered with national security.
b
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Dual Federalism
36. The doctrine of dual federalism receded into the background as the nation attempted to deal with
a.
growing international pressure.
b.
the aftermath of World War I.
c.
the aftermath of the Civil War.
d.
the Great Depression.
e.
rampant political corruption.
d
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The New Deal and Cooperative Federalism
37. A model of federalism in which the states and the national government work together to solve problems is called
a.
New Deal federalism.
b.
compromise federalism.
c.
continental federalism.
d.
dual federalism.
e.
cooperative federalism.
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The New Deal and Cooperative Federalism
38. ________ have traditionally favored the allocation of power to the states.
a.
Liberals
b.
Conservatives
c.
Libertarians
d.
Civil rights activists
e.
Political independents
b
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The Politics of Federalism
39. Expanded authority of the national government has traditionally been preferred by
a.
liberals.
b.
conservatives.
Name:
Class:
Date:
c.
libertarians.
d.
social conservatives.
e.
southern conservatives.
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The Politics of Federalism
40. The transfer of powers from a national or central government to a state or local government is called
a.
reduction of burden.
b.
identity politics.
c.
devolution.
d.
evolution.
e.
dissemination.
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The Politics of Federalism
41. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
a.
gave the states more control of their schools.
b.
established a school voucher system.
c.
increased the local school boards’ freedom in evaluating student achievement.
d.
increased federal control over education.
e.
was enacted by Congress under Democratic President Bill Clinton.
d
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The Politics of Federalism
42. All are true of federal grants EXCEPT
a.
that they increased significantly during the twentieth century.
b.
that they have been used for education, pollution control, recreation, and highway construction.
c.
that they quadrupled in dollar amount in the 1960s.
d.
that they are given by the states for national projects.
e.
that they have been accompanied by a multitude of restrictions and regulations.
d
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Methods of Implementing Cooperative Federalism
43. Categorical grants are
a.
federal grants to states or local governments for specific programs or projects.
Name:
Class:
Date:
b.
emergency grants to states for unforeseen circumstances.
c.
a very recent form of national government support to school districts.
d.
unconstitutional because of separation of powers.
e.
federal grants to states or local governments for general operating expenses.
Methods of Implementing Cooperative Federalism
44. In the 1980s and 1990s, the federal government used ______ to force the states to raise their minimum alcoholic
beverage drinking age to 21.
a.
new legislation
b.
conditions attached to federal highway grants
c.
a Supreme Court ruling
d.
international standards
e.
a series of lawsuits
60, 61
Methods of Implementing Cooperative Federlism
45. A federal grant that provides funds to a state or local government for a general functional area is called a
a.
project grant.
b.
block grant.
c.
community action grant.
d.
basic grant.
e.
categorical grant.
Methods of Implementing Cooperative Federalism
46. One major set of ______ provides aid to state welfare programs.
a.
categorical grants
b.
program grants
c.
federal mandates
d.
block grants
e.
municipal grants
Methods of Implementing Cooperative Federalism
Name:
Class:
Date:
47. All of the following statements regarding federal mandates are true EXCEPT
a.
requirements in federal legislation have been passed that force states to comply with certain rules.
b.
the Federal Government has mandated that states take action with respect to voter registration.
c.
federal mandates always are accompanied by federal funding.
d.
an Act of Congress requires the Congressional Budget Office to identify mandates that cost more than $50
million to implement.
e.
states may not ignore federal mandates.
ANSWER:
POINTS:
REFERENCES:
61
TOPICS:
Methods of Implementing Cooperative Federalism
48. The 1995 case, ______, marked the first time in sixty years that the Supreme Court had placed a limit on the national
government’s authority under the commerce clause.
a.
McCulloch v. Maryland
b.
Roe v. Wade
c.
Gibbons v. Ogden
d.
United States v. Lopez
e.
Brown v. Board of Education
ANSWER:
POINTS:
1
REFERENCES:
TOPICS:
A Trend toward States’ Rights?
49. When the Supreme Court heard cases involving federalism in the last decade, the rulings they gave can best be
perceived as
a.
in line with decisions of previous decades.
b.
unconstitutional.
c.
supporting a strong federal government.
d.
supporting states’ rights.
e.
sending mixed messages.
ANSWER:
POINTS:
REFERENCES:
TOPICS:
A Trend toward States’ Rights?
50. Individual health insurance mandates and the ability of states to ban same-sex marriage are two issues that
a.
have been decided by the Supreme Court recently.
b.
are currently being decided by the Supreme Court.
c.
the Supreme Court has refused to consider.
d.
can only be decided by the states.
e.
have been criticized for being unfunded mandates.
ANSWER:
51. What three models exist for organizing relations between a central government and local or subnational governments?
Compare and contrast each model in terms of their advantages and disadvantages.
52. What are implied powers? Describe several examples.
53. Analyze the provisions of full faith and credit, privileges and immunities, and extradition in the U. S. Constitution.
What do they have in common? How are they different?
54. From 1801–1835, the Supreme Court was headed by Chief Justice John Marshall, a Federalist who advocated a strong
central government. Using cases heard by the Supreme Court during that period, show how John Marshall’s political
beliefs affected the relationship between states and the federal government.
55. Explain the important issues in McCulloch v. Maryland and Gibbons v. Ogden. What has been the impact of these
decisions on the relationship between the federal and state governments?
56. Why is there a concern in some states with the full faith and credit provision of the Constitution if some states allow
gay marriages?
Name:
Class:
Date:
57. Describe the effects of the Civil War on states’ rights and the size of the national government.
58. Compare and contrast the categorical and block grants. How do federal mandates have an impact on the states? How
can different types of federal grants be used to influence states’ policies?
59. Explain why liberals have traditionally endorsed national authority.
60. Since the ratification of the Constitution, there has been controversy between the federal government and state
governments about the appropriate division of power. Explain how the federal government has gained power at the
expense of state governments. Indicate what state governments could do to regain power from the federal government.