FEDERALISM
The Federal System
 First type of government in America was based mostly
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on state government
Before the revolution American was made up of 13
colonies which were ruled by England
Following the Revolutionary War, these colonies (now
called states) basically governed themselves
They feared a strong central government like the one
they lived under England's rule
However…they realized that the weak national
government of the Articles could not survive so the
CONSTITUTION was written
The Constitution
 Defines the powers of the national government and
individual state governments
 The division of power between the national
government and the state governments is called The
Federal System or Federalism
 Power is shared between the national and state
governments
 Sharing power allows the federal government to have
the power it needs to run the whole country but allows
each state to set most of its own laws
Delegated vs Reserved Powers
 Delegated Powers =Federal Government
 Reserved Powers =State Governments
 Most of the laws that affect your daily life are state laws
Federal Government
State Government
Powers
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Print Money
Issue licenses
Regulate trade and business within the state
Regulate trade and business between different states and
other countries
Declare war
Make treaties
Establish local governments
Conduct elections
Education Policy
Establishing post offices
Federal Government
State Governments
Print Money
Issue Licenses
Regulate trade and business between
Regulate trade and business within the
different states and with other countries state
Make treaties and deal with the other
countries
Conduct Elections
Declare War
Establish local governments
Provide an army and navy
Any other power not specifically
granted to the federal government
Establish post offices
Education Policy
Concurrent Powers= Shared powers
 Collecting taxes
 Building roads
 Borrowing money
 Establishing courts
 Make and enforce laws
 Spend money for the public good
Think….
 The Tenth Amendment of the constitution says that
any power not specifically given to the national
government belongs to the state governments.
Be Ready to Discuss: Answer in 25 words
Why do you think the founding fathers added the tenth
amendment to the Constitution?