Welcome to your practice test on Federalism, a crucial component of AP American History. This test aims to assess and deepen your understanding of Federalism – the system of government in which power is divided between a national government and various regional governments. This concept has been pivotal in shaping American political, social, and legal landscapes. As you answer these questions, think about how Federalism has influenced the development and function of the United States government and its implications for American society.
- Federalism in the United States is a system of government in which:
A. Power is centralized in the national government.
B. Power is distributed between national and state governments.
C. All powers belong to the state governments.
D. The states have no governmental powers. - The Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is important in federalism because it:
A. Establishes judicial review.
B. Limits the powers of the federal government.
C. Outlines the powers of Congress.
D. Defines the rights of citizens. - Which of the following best exemplifies a concurrent power under the U.S. federal system?
A. Declaring war
B. Coining money
C. Building roads
D. Conducting foreign affairs - The ‘Elastic Clause’ in the U.S. Constitution is significant because it:
A. Limits the powers of the federal government.
B. Allows the federal government to pass necessary and proper laws.
C. Strictly defines the powers of the state governments.
D. Determines the process for state entry into the Union. - The concept of dual federalism refers to the idea that:
A. The federal government is supreme in all matters.
B. State governments hold more power than the federal government.
C. Federal and state governments are equal in power.
D. The federal and state governments have separate and distinct spheres of influence. - Which Supreme Court case is known for establishing the supremacy of federal law over state law?
A. Marbury v. Madison
B. McCulloch v. Maryland
C. Gibbons v. Ogden
D. Plessy v. Ferguson - The New Deal programs of the 1930s are an example of:
A. Decreased federal government intervention.
B. States’ rights overpowering federal authority.
C. A shift towards cooperative federalism.
D. The dismantling of federal agencies. - Which is a characteristic of cooperative federalism?
A. Clear distinction of state and federal powers.
B. States competing for federal funds.
C. National and state governments working together on various projects and policies.
D. The federal government dictating state policies. - ‘Fiscal federalism’ refers to:
A. The division of financial responsibilities between states.
B. The federal government’s role in regulating banks.
C. The use of financial incentives by the federal government to influence state policies.
D. State control over federal taxation. - Block grants and categorical grants are examples of:
A. Unfunded mandates.
B. Cooperative federalism.
C. Dual federalism.
D. State sovereignty. - Which event significantly expanded the powers of the federal government?
A. The Civil War
B. The American Revolution
C. The ratification of the Articles of Confederation
D. The signing of the Treaty of Paris - In the context of federalism, ‘devolution’ refers to:
A. The transfer of certain powers from the federal government to the state governments.
B. The decline of state power in favor of federal power.
C. The process of amending the Constitution.
D. The development of dual federalism. - Which of the following is a responsibility typically handled by state governments under federalism?
A. Defense
B. Interstate commerce regulation
C. Public education
D. Immigration policy - The ‘Commerce Clause’ in the U.S. Constitution has been used to:
A. Restrict the powers of the federal government.
B. Increase state control over commerce.
C. Expand the power of the federal government over economic matters.
D. Limit state involvement in economic regulation - Mandates in federalism are:
A. Requirements imposed by the states on the federal government.
B. Directives from the federal government that states must follow.
C. Financial incentives offered to states.
D. Optional guidelines provided by the federal government. - The principle of ‘states’ rights’ was central to which historical controversy in the United States?
A. Women’s suffrage
B. Prohibition
C. Slavery and the Civil War
D. The establishment of national parks - Which amendment is primarily concerned with the rights of states in the context of federalism?
A. First Amendment
B. Fourth Amendment
C. Tenth Amendment
D. Fourteenth Amendment - ‘Layer cake federalism’ is another term for:
A. Cooperative federalism.
B. Dual federalism.
C. Competitive federalism.
D. New Federalism. - Which of the following is an example of a reserved power of the states?
A. The right to print money
B. Regulation of interstate commerce
C. Conducting elections
D. Establishing post offices - The ‘Full Faith and Credit Clause’ of the Constitution requires that:
A. All states must adhere to federal law.
B. Federal courts have jurisdiction over state courts.
C. States must recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.
D. The federal government must approve state legislation. - Which constitutional amendment has been used to extend the Bill of Rights to apply to the states?
A. Tenth Amendment
B. Fourteenth Amendment
C. First Amendment
D. Fifth Amendment - The principle of ‘nullification’ relates to federalism as it:
A. Allows states to invalidate federal laws deemed unconstitutional.
B. Gives the federal government the right to nullify state laws.
C. Establishes the process for states to secede from the Union.
D. Is a concept rejected by the Supreme Court. - Which president’s administration is most associated with the concept of New Federalism?
A. Franklin D. Roosevelt
B. Richard Nixon
C. Abraham Lincoln
D. John F. Kennedy - The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is an example of:
A. Dual federalism.
B. States’ rights in healthcare.
C. Cooperative federalism.
D. Federal government overreach. - Unfunded mandates are controversial in federalism because they:
A. Increase the federal deficit.
B. Require states to implement programs without providing federal funds.
C. Are usually passed by executive orders.
D. Limit the power of the Supreme Court.
Answer Key
- B – Power is distributed between national and state governments.
- B – Limits the powers of the federal government.
- C – Building roads.
- B – Allows the federal government to pass necessary and proper laws.
- D – The federal and state governments have separate and distinct spheres of influence.
- B – McCulloch v. Maryland.
- C – A shift towards cooperative federalism.
- C – National and state governments working together on various projects and policies.
- C – The use of financial incentives by the federal government to influence state policies.
- B – Cooperative federalism.
- A – The Civil War.
- A – The transfer of certain powers from the federal government to the state governments.
- C – Public education.
- C – Expand the power of the federal government over economic matters.
- B – Directives from the federal government that states must follow.
- C – Slavery and the Civil War.
- C – Tenth Amendment.
- B – Dual federalism.
- C – Conducting elections.
- C – States must recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.
- B – Fourteenth Amendment.
- A – Allows states to invalidate federal laws deemed unconstitutional.
- B – Richard Nixon.
- C – Cooperative federalism.
- B – Require states to implement programs without providing federal funds.
Be sure to review Lesson 7 – Federalism prior to our in-class exam.
Check out more American History Practice Exams