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AMERICAN GOVERNMENT STUDY GUIDE
CHAPTER 4: FEDERALISM
GEORGIA PERFORMANCE STANDARDS (YOUR OBJECTIVES FOR THIS CHAPTER):
SSCG3 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the United States Constitution.
c. Explain the fundamental principles upon which the United States Constitution is based; include the rule of law, popular sovereignty,
separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism.
SSCG5 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the federal system of government described in the United States
Constitution.
a. Explain the relationship of state governments to the national government.
b. Define the difference between enumerated and implied powers.
c. Describe the extent to which power is shared.
d. Identify powers denied to state and national governments.
e. Analyze the ongoing debate that focuses on the balance of power between state and national governments.
f. Analyze the supremacy clause found in Article VI and the role of the U.S. Constitution as the “supreme law of the land.”
g. Explain the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States.
KEY TERMS
delegated powers Those powers, expressed, implied, or
inherent, granted to the National Government by the
Constitution.
expressed powers Those delegated powers of the National
Government that are spelled out, expressly, in the Constitution;
also called the "enumerated powers."
implied powers Those delegated powers of the National
Government that are suggested by the expressed powers set
out in the Constitution; those "necessary and proper" to carry
out the expressed powers; see delegated powers, expressed
powers.
inherent powers Powers the Constitution is presumed to have
delegated to the National Government because it is the
government of a sovereign state within the world community.
reserved powers Those powers that the Constitution does not
grant to the National Government and does not, at the same
time, deny to the States.
concurrent powers Those powers that both the National
Government and the States possess and exercise.
exclusive powers Those powers that can he exercised by the
National Government alone.
enabling act A congressional act directing the people of a
United States territory to frame a proposed State constitution
as a step towards admission to the Union.
act of admission A congressional act admitting a new State to
the Union.
grants-in-aid program Grants of federal money or other
resources to States, cities, counties, and other local units.
categorical grant One type of federal grants-in-aid; made for
some specific, closely defined, purpose; see grants-in-aid.
revenue sharing Form of federal monetary aid under which
Congress gave a share of federal tax revenue, with virtually no
restrictions, to the States, cities, counties, and townships.
block grant One type of federal grants-in-aid for some
particular but broadly defined area of public policy; see grantsin-aid.
project grant One type of federal grants-in-aid; made for
specific projects to States, localities, and private agencies who
apply for them.
interstate compact Formal agreement entered into with the
consent of Congress, between or among States, or between a
State and a foreign state.
full faith and credit clause Constitution's requirement that
each State accept the public acts, records, and judicial
proceedings of every other State.
extradition The legal process by which a fugitive from justice
in one State is returned to that State.
privileges and immunities clause Constitution's stipulation
(Article IV, Section 2) that all citizens are entitled to certain
"privileges and immunities," regardless of their State of
residence; no State can draw unreasonable distinctions
between its own residents and those persons who happen to
live in other States.
CHAPTER SUMMARY
The American flag is composed of 13 stripes and 50 stars. The stripes represent the 13 original States of the American
Union, and the stars stand for the nation's 50 states. Today's 50-star flag was raised for the first time at 12:01 A.M. on July
4, 1960, at Fort McHenry in Baltimore. That flag depicts the subject of this chapter: The American Federal Union.
Section 1: Federalism: The Division of Power
The federal system divides government power in order to prevent its abuse. There are two basic levels of government in
the federal system—National and State. The Supreme Court settles disputes between the two.
Section 2: The National Government and the 50 States
Cooperation between the National and State governments affects us all. We benefit from federal protections against
invasion, from natural disaster relief, and from monies granted to State and local governments.
Section 3: Interstate Relations
Several key provisions in the Constitution promote cooperation between and among the States. These provisions include:
interstate compacts, the Full Faith and Credit Clause, and the Privileges and Immunities Clause.
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