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Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the first attempt at a United States constitution. It created a weak central government and lacked the power to enforce laws and to tax. Increase of state government because this document allowed for a WEAK central government. -
Constitutional Convention
A constitutional convention is a gathering of delegates for the purpose of writing a new constitution or revising an existing constitution. Most of the time, the delegates are elected to represent the people in this convention. Increase in National power= creating a United States Constitution (federal) -
10th Amendment
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. Gives more power to the states, any powers not given to the federal government will be reserved to the states. -
McCulloch v. Maryland
In this court case a private bank owner tried to sue the National bank. The court case ruled in favor of the United States saying that congress has the power to create a National bank under the Necessary and Proper Clause. Gives more power to the Federal Government because they are proving that they are supreme and have the right to make the national bank stated in the necessary and proper clause. -
Gibbons v. Ogden
In this court case Ogden filed suit against Gibbons in New York state court, and received a permanent injunction. The New York state court rejected Gibbons’ argument asserting that U.S. Congress controlled interstate commerce. Gives Federal government more power because it states that the national decree trumps the states' decree. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
the Supreme Court ruled that Americans of African descent, whether free or slave, were not American citizens and could not sue in federal court. Gave more power to the Federal Government, saying that the national government is supreme over the states government. -
Civil War
Conflict between northern and southern states over the power of the national government to prohibit slavery in the territories that had yet to become a state. Increase Federal power, created an army, changed many regulations and laws for civil rights and led to the passing of the 13th amendment. -
14th Amendment
All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. Increased federal power because of the national decree of citizenship, rather than individual states deciding if a person is a citizen. -
Plessy v. Fergusson
It upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation laws for public facilities as long as the segregated facilities were equal in quality – a doctrine that came to be known as "separate but equal". Increased state power to regulate Jim Crow laws. -
Pure Food and Drug Act
For preventing the manufacture, sale, or transportation of adulterated or misbranded or poisonous or deleterious foods, drugs, medicines, and liquors, and for regulating traffic therein, and for other purposes. Increasing federal power because of the national government regulating the labeling of nationwide products -
16th Amendment
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration. Increased federal power because it is allowing the national government to tax all citizens income. -
Gitlow v. New York
Case in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment protection of free speech applied also to state governments. increases the states power because it protects the states rights -
The New Deal
The New Deal was a series of programs and projects instituted during the Great Depression by President Franklin D. Roosevelt that aimed to restore prosperity to Americans. When Roosevelt took office in 1933, he acted swiftly to stabilize the economy and provide jobs and relief to those who were suffering. Increased federal power because of the need for national regulation. -
Brown v. Board of Education
case in which the Court declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional. Increased federal powers because the law limited the states power to segregate. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Act that outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Increased federal power because the national government regulates the states and makes sure they do not break this law. -
Election of Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan was the 40th elected president of the United States. Supported a tax reduction ("reaganomics") and survived an assassination attempt. Increased states power because of the devolution revolution. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
Law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. Increase in federal power because of the creation of a national regulation -
Planned Parenthood v. Casey
case in which the constitutionality of several Pennsylvania state statutory provisions regarding abortion was challenged. increased state power because the state introduced the legislation and the federal government did not change it -
United States v. Lopez
was the first United States Supreme Court case since the New Deal to set limits to Congress' power under the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution. A student brought a gun to school and the school board tried to use the commerce clause to expel him. Decrease in federal power because of the limit set on congress. -
104th Congress
The 104th Congress was a meeting for the legislative branch. The congressmen attempted to devolve Medicaid and successfully devolved AFDC and other welfare programs. Increased federal power because the national government is deciding to take away a national program. -
Printz v. United States
case in which the Court held that certain interim provisions of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act violated the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Increased states power because of the acknowledgement that the states have the right to reserved powers. -
United States v. Morrison
decision which held that parts of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 were unconstitutional because they exceeded congressional power under the Commerce Clause and under section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution. Increased federal power by enforcing the commerce clause -
September 11, 2001
On September 11th 2001, four coordinated terrorist attacks were carried out by al-Qaeda. These attacks caused the destruction of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and were the cause of almost 3,000 deaths. Increased federal power because it caused the national government to take more action in protecting the country's borders. -
No Child Left Behind
Under the 2002 law, states are required to test students in reading and math in grades 3–8 and once in high school. Decreasing states power because the national government is mandating that the states must follow these requirements. -
Development of the Department of Homeland Security
their mission of preventing attacks and protecting Americans on land, sea and air. This group was created after September 11, 2001, to help secure the nations border and keep American citizens safe. Increase in federal power because it allows for yet another group of trained "soldiers" to be under the command of the national government.
