The U.S. System of Federalism
1. Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and smaller political units, such as states or provinces. This basic principle is presented in the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
2. Under U.S. federalism, the national government is given power over issues of countrywide concern. These powers inciude providing national defense and declaring war, entering into treaties with foreign governments, printing money, regulating interstate and international commerce, and making laws that enforce the U.S. Constitution.
3. Power over domestic issues usually falls under the powers of the states. These powers include establishing local governments and issuing licenses. States also have the power to regulate intrastate commerce, provide for public health and safety, and exercise other powers that are not given to the federal government nor prohibited to the state governments. Finally, states exercise political powers, which include conducting elections and ratifying amendments to the U.S.Constitution.
4. The national and state governments share the powers of establishing and collecting taxes, building and maintaining highways, borrowing and spending
Complete the U.S. System of Federalism chart based on information from the passage. Click on the title below you want to select and drag it into the top of each column in the chart.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer:
**Correct answer:** Federal Government **Rationale:** The Federal Government is responsible for national issues such as defense, immigration, and foreign policy, which distinguishes it from state governments. State Governments handle local matters like education and transportation, focusing on regional needs. The option "Local Government" refers to municipal or county levels, which operate under the authority of the state and do not encompass federal responsibilities. Therefore, the Federal Government is accurately placed at the top of the federalism chart, while the other options misrepresent the hierarchy and scope of governance in the U.S. system.
**Correct answer:** Federal Government **Rationale:** The Federal Government is responsible for national issues such as defense, immigration, and foreign policy, which distinguishes it from state governments. State Governments handle local matters like education and transportation, focusing on regional needs. The option "Local Government" refers to municipal or county levels, which operate under the authority of the state and do not encompass federal responsibilities. Therefore, the Federal Government is accurately placed at the top of the federalism chart, while the other options misrepresent the hierarchy and scope of governance in the U.S. system.
Other Related Questions
Which conclusion can be drawn from the diagrams?
- A. The legislature is more representative of the people in a presidential democracy than in a parliamentary democracy.
- B. The branches of government are more independent of each other in a presidential democracy than in a parliamentary democracy.
- C. The executive branch is more accountable to the people in a parliamentary democracy than in a direct democracy.
- D. The people are more involved in governing in a presidential democracy than in a direct democracy.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
In a presidential democracy, the separation of powers is a key feature, allowing the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to operate independently. This independence enhances checks and balances, ensuring that no single branch can dominate. Option A is incorrect as both systems aim for representation, but the degree can vary based on specific contexts rather than the type of democracy. Option C misrepresents accountability; in parliamentary systems, the executive is directly accountable to the legislature, which is elected by the people. Option D is misleading; in a direct democracy, citizens have direct involvement in governance, often more so than in a presidential system.
In a presidential democracy, the separation of powers is a key feature, allowing the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to operate independently. This independence enhances checks and balances, ensuring that no single branch can dominate. Option A is incorrect as both systems aim for representation, but the degree can vary based on specific contexts rather than the type of democracy. Option C misrepresents accountability; in parliamentary systems, the executive is directly accountable to the legislature, which is elected by the people. Option D is misleading; in a direct democracy, citizens have direct involvement in governance, often more so than in a presidential system.
Which sentence from the passage provides evidence that the Veterans Administration was involved in the development of suburban communities?
- A. "Men returned home from military service, got married, and started families." (paragraph 1)
- B. "Moreover, a separate government program made low-interest mortgage loans available to returning military personnel." (paragraph 4)
- C. "Even so, the success of Levittown depended not only on the efficiency of the Levitt brothers' process but also on the Federal Housing Administration, which guaranteed bank loans to builders." (paragraph 4)
- D. "William and his brother Alfred first gained experience in assembly-line techniques while building government housing for defense workers during World War II." (paragraph 2)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B clearly highlights the involvement of the Veterans Administration by mentioning a specific government program that provided low-interest mortgage loans to returning military personnel. This directly links the agency's actions to the development of suburban communities, as affordable housing financing is crucial for homeownership. Option A discusses the general trend of returning veterans starting families but does not specifically reference the Veterans Administration's role. Option C mentions the Federal Housing Administration, not the Veterans Administration, which makes it irrelevant to the question. Option D focuses on the Levitt brothers’ prior experience and does not address the Veterans Administration's involvement in suburban development.
Option B clearly highlights the involvement of the Veterans Administration by mentioning a specific government program that provided low-interest mortgage loans to returning military personnel. This directly links the agency's actions to the development of suburban communities, as affordable housing financing is crucial for homeownership. Option A discusses the general trend of returning veterans starting families but does not specifically reference the Veterans Administration's role. Option C mentions the Federal Housing Administration, not the Veterans Administration, which makes it irrelevant to the question. Option D focuses on the Levitt brothers’ prior experience and does not address the Veterans Administration's involvement in suburban development.
Based on the timeline and the map, what was one way African Americans dealt with Jim Crow laws?
- A. by taking service jobs in southern cities
- B. by seeking factory jobs in urban areas of the North
- C. by becoming tenant farmers in other parts of the South
- D. by gaining technical skills in northern schools
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
African Americans responded to Jim Crow laws by seeking factory jobs in urban areas of the North, as this migration offered better economic opportunities and a chance to escape oppressive conditions in the South. Option A, taking service jobs in southern cities, often perpetuated the same discriminatory practices found under Jim Crow. Option C, becoming tenant farmers in other parts of the South, did not provide significant relief from the systemic racism and economic hardship prevalent in that region. Option D, gaining technical skills in northern schools, while beneficial, was not a widespread or immediate solution compared to the mass migration to northern factories.
African Americans responded to Jim Crow laws by seeking factory jobs in urban areas of the North, as this migration offered better economic opportunities and a chance to escape oppressive conditions in the South. Option A, taking service jobs in southern cities, often perpetuated the same discriminatory practices found under Jim Crow. Option C, becoming tenant farmers in other parts of the South, did not provide significant relief from the systemic racism and economic hardship prevalent in that region. Option D, gaining technical skills in northern schools, while beneficial, was not a widespread or immediate solution compared to the mass migration to northern factories.
This flow chart traces development of democratic government in England. Which event completes this sequence?
- A. The English Bill of Rights gave the king power to appoint most members of Parliament.
- B. The Magna Carta forced the nobles to give up their feudal lands.
- C. The English Bill of Rights guaranteed suffrage to most male citizens.
- D. The Magna Carta forced the king to share his political power.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The correct choice, D, highlights the Magna Carta's pivotal role in limiting the king's absolute power and initiating the concept of shared governance. This foundational document established that the monarch must consult nobles before making decisions, laying the groundwork for parliamentary democracy. Option A is incorrect as the English Bill of Rights actually limited the king's power over Parliament, not enhanced it. Option B misrepresents the Magna Carta's purpose; it did not force nobles to relinquish their lands, but rather addressed their grievances against the king. Option C is also inaccurate, as the English Bill of Rights did not guarantee suffrage but focused on limiting royal authority and protecting certain rights.
The correct choice, D, highlights the Magna Carta's pivotal role in limiting the king's absolute power and initiating the concept of shared governance. This foundational document established that the monarch must consult nobles before making decisions, laying the groundwork for parliamentary democracy. Option A is incorrect as the English Bill of Rights actually limited the king's power over Parliament, not enhanced it. Option B misrepresents the Magna Carta's purpose; it did not force nobles to relinquish their lands, but rather addressed their grievances against the king. Option C is also inaccurate, as the English Bill of Rights did not guarantee suffrage but focused on limiting royal authority and protecting certain rights.