AP Gov Ch. 3 Federalism
Define three ways of organizing a nation that were discussed in the text
• unitary- national government holds most power
• confederate- state government holds most power
• federal- combination of both unitary and confederate
Describe ways that federalism decentralizes politics and policies
Federalism gives the state's the responsibility of running both state and national
elections
Describe several of the advantages and disadvantages of a federal system when
compared to other possible ways of organizing political power, such as confederate or
unitary systems
States and federal government both have power. Allows for more representation.
Compare and contrast state sovereignty under the Articles of Confederation and with
state sovereignty under the Constitution
States had more power under the Articles of Confederation and the federal government
had more power under the Constitution
List three items that are considered the supreme law of the land
• the constitution
• laws of the national government
• treaties
Explain the significance of the tenth amendment
states that it does not make the state's power superior to the national government for
activities not mentioned in the constitution
Explain the difference between enumerated powers and implied powers
Enumerated powers- powers that are specifically addressed in the constitution
Implied powers- powers of the federal government that go beyond the enumerated
powers
Explain how to following clauses in the constitution have been used to expand federal
power: the tax and spend clause, the necessary and proper clause and the commerce
clause
-Tax and Spend clause: congress's power to tax and authorize the spending of the
income from taxes
-Necessary and Proper clause: states that Congress has the power, "To make all Laws
which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers,
and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States,
or in any Department or Officer thereof." (Elastic clause)
-Commerce Clause: gives Congress the power "to regulate commerce with foreign
nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes."
Describe the three general obligations that each state has to every other state under the
constitution
1. Full faith and credit: States are required to acknowledge all public acts, records, and
civil judicial proceedings.
Define three ways of organizing a nation that were discussed in the text
• unitary- national government holds most power
• confederate- state government holds most power
• federal- combination of both unitary and confederate
Describe ways that federalism decentralizes politics and policies
Federalism gives the state's the responsibility of running both state and national
elections
Describe several of the advantages and disadvantages of a federal system when
compared to other possible ways of organizing political power, such as confederate or
unitary systems
States and federal government both have power. Allows for more representation.
Compare and contrast state sovereignty under the Articles of Confederation and with
state sovereignty under the Constitution
States had more power under the Articles of Confederation and the federal government
had more power under the Constitution
List three items that are considered the supreme law of the land
• the constitution
• laws of the national government
• treaties
Explain the significance of the tenth amendment
states that it does not make the state's power superior to the national government for
activities not mentioned in the constitution
Explain the difference between enumerated powers and implied powers
Enumerated powers- powers that are specifically addressed in the constitution
Implied powers- powers of the federal government that go beyond the enumerated
powers
Explain how to following clauses in the constitution have been used to expand federal
power: the tax and spend clause, the necessary and proper clause and the commerce
clause
-Tax and Spend clause: congress's power to tax and authorize the spending of the
income from taxes
-Necessary and Proper clause: states that Congress has the power, "To make all Laws
which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers,
and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States,
or in any Department or Officer thereof." (Elastic clause)
-Commerce Clause: gives Congress the power "to regulate commerce with foreign
nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes."
Describe the three general obligations that each state has to every other state under the
constitution
1. Full faith and credit: States are required to acknowledge all public acts, records, and
civil judicial proceedings.
