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American Government: Constitutional History and Federalism
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American Government: Constitutional History and Federalism

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Questions and Answers

What was a major factor that led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

  • The need to create a more democratic system of government
  • The desire to declare independence from Great Britain
  • The failure of the Articles of Confederation to provide a strong central government (correct)
  • The influence of European monarchies on American politics
  • What is a key feature of federalism?

  • The concentration of power at the national level
  • The division of power between national and state governments (correct)
  • The absence of local governments
  • The supremacy of state governments over the national government
  • What was a major consequence of the shift toward increased national power since 1937?

  • The decline of state governments
  • The growth of the Bill of Rights
  • The reduction of the president's powers
  • The expansion of the national government's authority (correct)
  • What is a key feature of the amendment process?

    <p>The process of proposal and ratification by the states</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key function of the Bill of Rights?

    <p>To protect citizens from improper governmental actions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key feature of the Fourteenth Amendment?

    <p>The nationalization of the Bill of Rights</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key challenge faced by members of Congress?

    <p>Balancing the interests of different constituents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key feature of bureaucracies in the United States?

    <p>Their role in implementing laws and establishing rules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    The Road to the Constitutional Convention of 1787

    • Major political and historical developments that led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 included:
      • Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
      • Shays' Rebellion
      • Nationalist sentiment
      • Economic instability

    Federalism and National Power

    • Federalism is a system of government that divides power between a central authority and smaller units (states, provinces, etc.)
    • Federalism limits national power by:
      • Distributing authority among multiple levels of government
      • Ensuring that power is not concentrated in one entity
    • Evolution of federalism in the United States:
      • From the Founding to the twentieth century, federalism oscillated between national and state-centric approaches
      • Shift towards increased national power since 1937

    The US Constitution

    • Major provisions of the US Constitution:
      • Separation of powers
      • Checks and balances
      • System of federalism
      • Representative democracy
      • Protection of individual rights

    Balancing Representation and Governance

    • The framers attempted to balance representation with effective governance by:
      • Creating a bicameral legislature
      • Establishing a system of checks and balances
      • Ensuring that power is distributed among multiple branches of government

    The Amendment Process

    • The amendment process allows the Constitution to evolve over time by:
      • Providing a mechanism for change
      • Ensuring that the Constitution remains relevant and adaptable

    The Bill of Rights

    • Origins of the Bill of Rights:
      • Response to anti-Federalist concerns about individual rights
      • First 10 amendments to the Constitution
    • Purpose of the Bill of Rights:
      • Protect citizens from improper governmental actions
      • Ensure individual liberties and freedoms

    The Fourteenth Amendment and Nationalization of the Bill of Rights

    • The Fourteenth Amendment (1868) nationalized the Bill of Rights by:
      • Extending federal protections to state citizens
      • Ensuring that states cannot infringe on individual rights

    Precedent and Interpretation

    • Precedent and interpretation continue to shape the Bill of Rights by:
      • Informing judicial decisions
      • Evolving the understanding of individual rights

    Civil Rights and Collective Action

    • Civil rights relate to collective action in the United States by:
      • Ensuring equal protection and opportunities for all citizens
      • Facilitating social and political change through collective action

    The US Congress

    • Diverse views and interests represented in Congress:
      • Geographic, ideological, and demographic differences
    • Organization of the US Congress:
      • Bicameral legislature with Senate and House of Representatives
      • Committee system and leadership structures

    The Presidency

    • Constitutional origins and powers of the presidency:
      • Established in Article II of the Constitution
      • Includes executive, legislative, and judicial powers
    • Formal and informal resources of the presidency:
      • Executive powers, such as veto authority and executive orders
      • Informal powers, such as persuasion and negotiation

    Bureaucracies and Effective Governance

    • Bureaucracies facilitate effective governance by:
      • Implementing laws and policies
      • Establishing rules and regulations
      • Settling disputes and providing public services

    The Executive Branch

    • Structure of the executive branch:
      • Includes executive departments and agencies
      • Organized to facilitate implementation of laws and policies

    The Judiciary

    • Organization of America's courts:
      • Hierarchical system with Supreme Court at the apex
      • Includes federal and state courts
    • Role of judges in shaping public policy:
      • Interpreting laws and the Constitution
      • Establishing precedents and influencing policy decisions

    Common Law and Precedents

    • Common law and precedents shape judicial decisions by:
      • Providing a framework for legal interpretation
      • Informing judicial rulings and opinions

    Judicial Review

    • Significance of judicial review:
      • Ensures that laws are consistent with the Constitution
      • Provides a check on legislative and executive power

    Public Opinion and Elections

    • Public opinion can be understood at:
      • Aggregate level (collective attitudes and opinions)
      • Individual level (personal attitudes and beliefs)
    • Elections in the United States function as:
      • Formal institutions for making collective decisions
      • Mechanisms for holding elected officials accountable

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    Description

    Explore the key events leading to the Constitutional Convention, federalism, and its evolution in the United States. Understand how the Constitution balances representation and national power.

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