Poli Sci Unit 1

slaves count three fifths of a person for population representation and taxation

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Opponents of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government generally.

strong state governments
a weak central government
Encourage democracy (feared a strong government would be dominated by the wealthy)
Felt states were giving up too much power to the new federal government
strengthening of individual liberties

The powers of congress

The first governing document of the confederate states, drafted in 1777, ratified in 1781, and replaced by the present Constitution in 1789.

The first ten amendments to the Constitution

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

Powers held jointly by the national and state governments.

A system consisting of a league of independent states, each having essentially sovereign powers. The central government created by such a league has only limited powers over the states.

the compromise agreement by states at the Constitutional Convention for a bicameral legislature with a lower house in which representation would be based on population and an upper house in which each state would have two senators.

higher crime rates
dangerous working environments
low wages and long working hours
child labor
high illiteracy

A meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 that produced a new constitution

some believed in states power
Some delegates believed in federal power

Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, James Wilson

A government that enforces recognized limits on those who govern and allows the voice of the people to be heard through free, fair, and relatively frequent elections.

A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government. They may also share costs, administration, and even blame for programs that work poorly.

the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states

one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress

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

The electoral system used in electing the president and vice president, in which voters vote for electors pledged to cast their ballots for a particular party's candidates.
Racist thing, didn't want one person one vote in the South because of the ⅔rd compromise
To elect the president and Vice President
Most states if the majority votes goes one way, electoral college pledge to the winner or the popular vote

Powers given to the national government alone

a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution outlawing discrimination based on sex

Clause in the First Amendment that says the government may not establish an official religion.

The Supreme Court has interpreted this to forbid direct governmental support to any or all religions.

A method used to interpret the Constitution that understands the document to be flexible and responsive to the changing needs of the times

A formal instruction that tells the executive branch how to execute a specific law or broader presidential policy; executive orders carry the force of law but can be revoked by the next president.

The power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security.

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

- complexity; slow/ inefficient
- multiple layers & overlapping
Federalism creates confusion about responsibility
Federalism weakens accountability
Federalism creates inequality

These include (1) More layers of government = more opportunities for citizens to get heard (pluralism); (2) 50 states can serve as "laboratories of democracy"; (3) federalism creates "vertical separation of powers" (protects us against tyranny)

An essay composed by James Madison which argues that liberty is safest in a large republic because many interests (factions) exist. Such diversity makes tyranny by the majority more difficult since ruling coalitions will always be unstable.

part of the Federalist Papers
addresses the checks and balances of government
advocates separation of powers

Simplest formula is by population each recipient government receive a certain number of dollars for each person who lives in the juridstriction (40 million people in a state = 40 million dollars)

1870s - 1890s; time period looked good on the outside, despite the corrupt politics & growing gap between the rich & poor

Pro-business, minimal interference in regional issues, weak federal government, machine politics, weak presidents, weak bills.

explored ideas about natural law and human rights.

social contract theory

has the power to impeach (formally accuse)

Brings a bill to the senante for a vote

Individualism
• Laissez Faire
• Limited government
• Equality of opportunity
• Freedom of religion
• Rule of law

A process for removing the president, judges, and other civil officials from office for committing treason, bribery, and other high crimes and misdemeanors.
The House is responsible for approving the articles of impeachment by a majority vote, while the Senate is responsible for convicting or acquitting the public official by a two-thirds vote.

Powers not specifically mentioned in the constitution

This case establishes the Supreme Court's power of Judicial Review

meaning that American courts have the power to strike down laws and statutes that they find to violate the Constitution of the US

1819 ruling by the Supreme Court stating that Maryland could not tax the local office of the Bank of the United States because it was the property of the National Gov't

Section of the Constitution allowing Congress to pass all laws "necessary and proper" to its duties, and which has permitted Congress to exercise powers not specifically given to it (enumerated) by the Constitution.

system in which the national government restores greater authority back to the states

that the constitution text ought to be given the original public meeting that it would have had at the time that it became law

an approach to constitutional interpretation that says the constitution means the same thing today as it did when it was drafted in the summer of 1787, making no allowances for societal changes. it also says the constitution's meaning can only be changed by a formal amendment

Make laws
Raise and provide public money and oversee its proper expenditure
Impeach and try federal officers
Approve presidential appointments
Approve treaties negotiated by the executive branch
Oversight and investigations

Checks and balanced by the other two branches of government

Federal categorical grants given for specific purposes and awarded on the basis of the merits of applications

Money for projects in a state

Also known as the "tax revolt", it was a Californian ballot measure in 1978 that slashed property taxes and forced deep cuts in government services.

Proposition 13 limits property taxes to 1% of the property's assessed value

more jobs
more money
cheaper products
mass production of goods
better roads

¾ of the states have to ratify it to be part of the constitution
Passage by Congress of an amendment
Notification of the states
Ratification by ¾ of the the states
Tracking state actions
Announcement

a form of federalism in which Congress imposes legislation on states and localities, requiring them to meet national standards

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

movement dating to the 1950s to allow taxpayer dollars to be given to families to use at whatever public, private, or parochial schools they choose.

tries impeachments, senate approves treaties and certain presidential appointments

votes bills to laws

Didn't want equal rights for slaves

The proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by William Paterson of New Jersey for a central government with a single-house legislature in which each state would be represented equally.

the same party controls the White House and both houses of Congress

Constitutional arrangement that concentrates power in a central government.

The initial proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by the Virginia delegation for a strong central government with a bicameral legislature dominated by the big states.