Federalism Quiz

Amanda and her friends have noticed this problem in their neighborhood: the garbage cans in the public park are overflowing. What should Amanda do to solve her problem?

• write a letter to the president

• call a Senator

• call an attorney

• contact the Mayor's office

What is an example of a power that the federal and state governments share?

• establish a postal service

• establish a public school

• coin money

• enforce laws

What does this statement mean? "The U.S. Constitution in Article 1 says that only the national Government can coin money and make treaties with other nations"

• Article 1 is referring to one of the examples of the enumerated powers

• Article 1 is referring to state powers

• the Constitution does not give any powers to the states

• Article 1 gives powers to the banks

The framers of the U.S. Constitution included the "supremacy clause" in Article VI that declares that the Constitution and other laws and treaties made by the national government are the supreme law of the land. This means that...

• the national government cannot violate the Constitution

• the states may do nothing that goes against the U.S. Constitution or federal law

• the states can do as they please

• the states are part of the supremacy clause

Which statement is true about the concept of federalism?

• Americans must obey only state laws

• Federalism was designed to give the President more power

• it does not put a limit on government

• the power is shared by the nation and states governments

In addition to their exclusive powers, both the national government and state governments share powers. Shared powers between the national government and state governments are called concurrent powers. Which of the items below is an example of concurrent powers?

• make treaties with foreign governments

• regulate trade between the states

• establish trash collection services

• establish courts and prisons

What does federalism mean?

• the right to have a government

• power is shared by the national and state governments

• the power to enforce laws

• the power to create courts

What information about federalism can you infer from the cartoon

• the federal government does not care what laws are passed by the states

• State laws can't go against federal or national laws

• California is a powerful state

• States are allowed to do anything they want

“The Rehnquist Court is well known for its many five-four decisions in favor of enhanced state power” William Rehnquist was a US Supreme Court Chief Justice for many years. According to the above quote, what was he known for?

• he favored the reserved powers

• he favored the enumerated powers

• he was known for supporting concurrent powers

• he was know for favoring a conservative liberal government

“Although, among the enumerated powers of government, we do not find the word ‘bank’ or ‘incorporation,’ we find the great powers to lay and collect taxes; to borrow money; to regulate commerce; to declare and conduct a war; and to raise and support armies and navies . . . But it may with great reason be contended, that a government, entrusted with such ample powers … must also be entrusted with ample means for their execution. The power being given, it is the interest of the nation to facilitate its execution...” — Chief Justice John Marshall

Based on the above quote, which of the following is true about John Marshall?

• he wanted more powers for the national government

• he wanted more powers for the state governments

• he was talking about the powers of the courts

• he wanted the states and national government to be entrusted with more powers