American Government Quiz 2

Questions and Answers

What was the dominant model of federalism starting with the New Deal?

cooperative

Which of the following is an example of a categorical grant?

Funds provided by Congress to the states to enhance science instruction in a low-income area.

How many general types of federal grants exist?

three

Article VI of the U.S. Constitution establishes that federal law is __________ in conflicts between federal and state law.

supreme Signup and view all the answers

Dillon's Rule states that all local governments must be authorized by which of the following?

the state government Signup and view all the answers

What are reserved powers?

powers that belong to the states or people because they are not specifically delegated to the national government by the Constitution Signup and view all the answers

In 2014, what did the Supreme Court decide about the use of prayers to open government meetings?

Such meetings can start with a prayer even if it clearly favors one faith. Signup and view all the answers

In Barron v. Baltimore, the Supreme Court held that the Bill of Rights limits , not , activity.

federal; state Signup and view all the answers

Prior to the ratification of the Constitution, the United States was governed by the Articles of __________.

Confederation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of procedural due process?

the right to a speedy trial Signup and view all the answers

The free exercise clause guarantees that the national government will not interfere with which of the following?

religion Signup and view all the answers

Dillon's Rule states __________.

that local governments do not have any inherent sovereignty Signup and view all the answers

The power of both the state and federal governments to levy taxes is an example of what type of power?

concurrent Signup and view all the answers

Convicted criminals cannot have their sentences increased when a new law calls for tougher penalties due to a prohibition against __________.

ex post facto laws Signup and view all the answers

The doctrine of prior restraint says that the government cannot prevent speech or publication __________.

before the fact Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following clauses requires states to return criminals to states where they have been convicted or are to stand trial?

extradition Signup and view all the answers

The Sixth Amendment sets out basic requirements for which type of due process?

procedural Signup and view all the answers

A defamatory, false written statement is ; the same statement spoken aloud is .

libel; slander Signup and view all the answers

__________ powers are shared by the federal and state governments.

Concurrent Signup and view all the answers

The concept of nullification was quashed by which of the following?

the Civil War Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following categories of grants did President Lyndon Johnson favor?

categorical Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best exemplifies cooperative federalism?

New Deal legislation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a reserved power of the states?

imposing the death penalty Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a power specifically denied the states by the Constitution?

passing bills of attainder Signup and view all the answers

What type of due process protects citizens from arbitrary or unjust state or federal laws?

substantive Signup and view all the answers

Which rule bars the use of illegally seized evidence at trial?

exclusionary Signup and view all the answers

In the late 1980s, what caused the Rehnquist Court to start to restrict Congress's ability to regulate various areas of the economy?

the Court's support for states' rights Signup and view all the answers

What kind of speech is by its very utterance intended to inflict injury or incite an immediate breach of peace?

fighting words Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an enumerated power of the national government?

coining money Signup and view all the answers

What did Abington School District v. Schempp find to be unconstitutional?

state-mandated Bible reading Signup and view all the answers

Inciting a fight by using threats and profanity could be considered __________, which is not a protected type of speech.

fighting words Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment gave Congress the power to levy and collect federal taxes on income?

the Sixteenth Amendment Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Federalism and Grants

Cooperative federalism emerged as the dominant model after the New Deal.
Categorical grants target specific areas, such as enhancing science instruction in low-income schools.
Three general types of federal grants exist: categorical, block, and project grants.

Constitution and Law

Article VI establishes that federal law is supreme in conflicts with state law.
Dillon's Rule mandates that local governments must be authorized by state governments.
Reserved powers are those granted to states or people not explicitly delegated to the national government.

Supreme Court Decisions

In 2014, the Supreme Court allowed prayers at government meetings, even if favoring one religion.
Barron v. Baltimore ruled that the Bill of Rights limits federal, not state, actions.
Abington School District v. Schempp deemed state-mandated Bible reading unconstitutional.

Rights and Due Process

Procedural due process includes the right to a speedy trial.
The free exercise clause prohibits the national government from interfering with religion.
The Sixth Amendment outlines requirements for procedural due process.
Substantive due process protects citizens from unjust laws.

Power Dynamics

Concurrent powers, such as levying taxes, are shared between state and federal governments.
States cannot impose ex post facto laws, which increase penalties retroactively.
The Civil War effectively quashed the concept of nullification.
Passing bills of attainder is specifically denied to states by the Constitution.

Speech and Expression

The doctrine of prior restraint prevents the government from banning speech or publication before it occurs.
Defamation splits into libel (written) and slander (spoken).
Fighting words, intended to incite violence, are not protected speech.
The exclusionary rule prohibits the use of illegally seized evidence in court.

Political Context

The Rehnquist Court in the late 1980s began limiting Congress's regulatory ability due to a focus on states' rights.
Lyndon Johnson favored categorical grants as part of his Great Society initiatives.

Examples and Concepts

An example of a reserved power is imposing the death penalty.
Enumerated powers, such as coining money, belong to the national government.
The extradition clause requires states to return criminals to the states where they were convicted or are on trial.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on federalism and grants in American government with this quiz. Dive into key concepts such as cooperative federalism and categorical grants. Perfect for students and anyone interested in understanding the structure of U.S. governance.