Chapter 3

AP Government Name:
Murphy Date Completed:
Assignment: Chapter 2 – The Constitution
Vocabulary/Definitions: AP Government is a vocabulary-heavy class. As such, you are expected to have working
definitions – preferably in your own words - of all of the words listed for each chapter.
Vocabulary: Your Definition

Federalism The system of governance that divides power between the national and state level
Unitary system System where central government has all the power over the subnational governments
Confederal system System where subnational governments have all the power
Federal system Equally divided power between the two
Enumerated/expressed Explicitly said in the constitution
powers
Exclusive powers Only national government
Implied powers Implied in the constitution/not explicitly said
Commerce clause Congress can regulate interstate business
Necessary and proper Federal government can pass any law to carry out its enumerated powers if it is
clause necessary and proper
Supremacy clause Rule of law
10th amendment If it is not for the national government, it is for the states
Reserved powers Not given to government, retained by people
Concurrent powers Given to both levels of government
Full faith and credit clause Requires states to acknowledge the laws of other states
Extradition Requirement that criminals are returned to the state where they did the crime for
processing
Privileges and immunities Prevents discrimination of people from another state
clause
13th amendment No slavery
14th amendment All citizens are equal
15th amendment Black dudes are allowed to vote
Dual federalism States and national government operate independently of each other
Selective incorporation SCOTUS applies the bill of rights on a case by case basis
Cooperative federalism States and national government work together to create laws
Grants-in-aid Federal money given to states to do things
Fiscal federalism Use of grants in aid to influence policies
Categorical grants Grants in aid provided with specific provisions on their use
Unfunded mandates Federal mandates without grants
Block grants Grants in aid that give state politicians the authority to disburse them
Revenue sharing When the federal government gives taxes to states with no instructions
Devolutions Returning authority/jurisdiction to state governments
Using the Content: Write a response to the prompts for each section of the reading. Each of the following is written in
the style of an AP prompt, and – when responded to appropriately – will require you to utilize the content of the
associated section. Make sure to correctly use the vocabulary and content from the book in your responses.
Section 3.1:
1. Explain the tension between state and federal laws under American federalism.
The tension between state and federal laws under American federalism comes from the whole ideology behind it.
In a perfect world, the state and federal laws balance perfectly, each level of power limiting the other. For
example, the rule of law states that the constitution and all treaties at a national level must be upheld at all state
levels too, however states can specialize in different laws themselves, like the legalization of weed. This
relationship is what keeps American federalism effective.
Section 3.2:
1. Describe how the commerce clause, necessary and proper clause, supremacy clause, and the 10th amendment
influence the relative authority of the state and national governments.
All of the policies mentioned create a balance of power, similar to the type described in the last question. The
commerce clause, necessary and proper clause, and supremacy cause all give power to the national government,
essentially allowing it to do whatever it wants. However, I imagine the 10th amendment like a superhero coming in to
save a city, giving the people their rights, and saying that if it isn’t expressly given, then it is their right, not the
national government. This keeps the balance of power healthy.
2. Describe how the Constitution divides power between the state and national levels.
The constitution divides power between the state and national levels through the use of federalism and republican
principles. For example, the 10th amendment allows states to have any implied powers not enumerated in the
constitution. This keeps the national government in check, and prevents tyranny. However, it goes the other way too.
The commerce clause allows the national government to peak into the interstate commerce happening, making sure
that we don’t have another AoC-like situation happening.
Section 3.3:
1. Describe the development of American federalism over time, paying particular attention to significant changes
in federal power.
The development of American federalism was shaped a lot by the constitutional convention, and more specifically the
debates that happened around that time. When it started out, thinkers like Madison were mostly concerned with the
perfect world, and not grounded in reality at all. However, when arguing with the Anti-Federalists, he had to think
about how these ideals would play themselves out in our real world. This means that he gave a lot of power to the
states too in implied power and encouraged federalists to design the constitution very thoughtfully.
Section 3.4:
1. Examine how federalism has changes – and what has caused those changes – in the 20 th and 21st centuries.
Federalism’s changes in the 20th and 21st centuries can be summed up by grants in aid. These monetary tools are used
to balance power between the states and national government in a way that follows traditional federalism’s thought
process, but through a different manner. This is due to the changing role of government in modern society, and a lot
due to the great depression. Welfare programs needed monetary aid, and grants were the easiest way to provide that
aid.
Section 3.5:
1. Describe the current status of American federalism, and predict (in an educated manner) how it might
continue to evolve in the near future.
The current state of federalism is heavily reliant on supreme court cases. This illustrates our need to validate the
constitution and make sure the values that were relevant in the late 1700s are still relevant today. This can be
seen in supreme court cases like Loving V. Virginia, where the supreme court allowed interracial marriage because
it poses less of a social problem today than it did during that time period. My prediction of where federalism will
continue to evolve in the near future has to do with the debates that we have had during class. I wonder at what
point will the issue of the 2nd amendment make it all the way to the supreme court. Will it be upheld or
overturned? At what point can we say that states putting restrictions on guns is/isn’t allowed? Modern federalism
will be tested with that issue, and I think that it will go there soon.

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AP Government Name:

Murphy Date Completed:

Assignment: Chapter 2 – The Constitution

Vocabulary: Your Definition

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