Mr. Sedivy's
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American Government
Limitations of Congress and States

Sections 9 - 10 American Constitution
Congress is not permitted to:

Deny Habeas Corpus: Habeas Corpus is a court order that requires authorities to bring an arrested individual before a court so that a judge can decide whether the person is being held for legitimate reasons. The constitution does not allow congress to deny this right, because the individual needs to be held fairly.

Pass Ex-post Facto Laws: An ex-post facto law makes an action a crime after the action has taken place. The constitution makes it illegal for congress to pass any law pertaining to this.

Direct Tax Except for the Sixteenth Amendment: A direct tax is one pay directly to the government. Except for what is stated in the sixteenth amendment, this is not permitted.

Tax Exports: No tax or duty should be laid on articles exported to any state. This was a compromise made over the slave trade.

Grant Title of Nobility: The constitution states that no person shall be given or awarded a title or nobility, and no person shall except a gift, or present for any king, prince, or person or nobility for a foreign state. This was made to prevent monarchy.

Powers Prohibited to States:

Treaties, Coinage: No state is allowed to make their own money, or make any sort of treaty. The powers here are either the exclusive powers of the national government or are denied to both national and state government. This prevents any confusion about overlapping authorities between state and national government.

Taxing Imports and Exports: No state is allowed to pass any taxes, except for those absolutely necessary for executing laws. Without this prohibition congress' power over interstate commerce would be weakened or destroyed.

Duties, Armed Forces, and War: No state can keep troops or engage in any form of war without congress approval. Some exceptions have developed for example a state may maintain a militia to protect it against internal disorders. States enter into interstate compacts, but these must be approved by congress.

US Government - Democracy
State Government / National Government
Why Did Government Originate?

American Constitution
What is a Constitution?
Powers Prohibited to Congress / Powers Prohibited to States

Other Types of Government
Autocracy, Totalitarian Dictatorship, Absolute Monarchy

Trial and Judicial System Information
Officers of the Court / Characteristics of a Trial
Courtroom Demeanor / How to Dress for Court
Testifying in Court - The DOs and DON'Ts
Trial Tactics and Tricks Used by Attorneys
Common Trial Objections During Testimony
Courtroom Definitions

Class Activities
Constitution Presentations
The Trial of Goldilocks
America's Entry into World War I

More Information
View WWI Uncle Sam Poster - 1917