D.+Federalism



** What is Federalism? **
Federalism means that the national and state governments share power.

The 10th Amendment of the Constitution helps to define federalism: // "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." //

** A Brief History of Federalism in the United States **
When the United States was first formed, the states wanted all the power. They essentially wanted to be independent nations. When the Articles of Confederation were created, a national government was formed. However, the national government had very few powers, which did not allow the new country to grow or pay debts. As a result, the Constitutional Convention was called and the Constitution was created.

For more detailed information, see AP Government & Politics 1A.

See also:
 * United States Government 3.2 on the powers of state and federal governments
 * United States Government 3.3 on the constitutional principle of federalism
 * United States Government 2.9 and United States History I.8 for material on Federalists and Anti-Federalists debates over the Constitution
 * United States History I.15 on the responsibilities of federal, state and local governments
 * United States History I.16 on the role of the federal government

** National Powers vs. State Powers **
//National Government Powers://
 * Makes currency
 * Declare wars
 * Create military branches
 * Sign treaties with foreign nations
 * Regulate interstate and international commerce
 * Make post offices and stamps
 * Make laws to support the Constitution

//State Government Powers://
 * Create local governments
 * Issue licenses for marriage, driving, hunting, etc...
 * Regulate commerce within the state
 * Hold elections
 * Ratify amendments
 * Support the public health of the citizens
 * Set laws for legal drinking and smoking ages
 * Creating state Constitutions
 * Any power not specifically given to the national government[[image:Massachusetts_State_House_6.JPG width="488" height="357" align="right" caption="Massachusetts State House"]]

//Shared Powers://
 * Creating courts
 * Starting and collecting taxes
 * Making highways
 * Borrowing money
 * Creating banks
 * Spending money to better the people
 * Condemning private property with reason

Click here for the lesson plan "Balancing Federal and State Authority" from PBS

Click here for a debate lesson plan on federalism from iCivics.

Click here for a lesson plan connecting federalism to current events.

Click here for the game "Power Play" from iCivics.

Sources: 1. PBS. "Federalism: Constitution USA" http://www.pbs.org/tpt/constitution-usa-peter-sagal/federalism/#.UhVaBz_Bxik 2. USGovAbout. "National vs. State Government" http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/rightsandfreedoms/a/federalism.htm