FEDERALISM
Use the following quotes, charts, and
graphs to gain a more in-depth
understanding of federalism. (These
may be on the test)
• Madison Federalist No. 45
The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the
federal government are few and defined. Those which are to
remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.
The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as
war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce.
The operations of the federal government will be most
extensive and important in times of war and danger; those of
the State governments, in times of peace and security. As the
former periods will probably bear a small proportion to the
latter, the State governments will here enjoy another
advantage over the federal government…
If the new constitution be examined with accuracy and candor,
it will be found that the change which it proposes consists
much less in the addition of new powers to the Union than in
the invigoration of its original powers.
• Hamilton, Federalist No. 28
“… the general government will at all times stand ready to
check the usurpations of the state governments, and these will
have the same disposition towards the general government.
The people… If their rights are invaded by either, they can
make use of the other as the instrument of redress.
• John Marshal, McCulloch v. Maryland
“This provision [ the elastic clause] is made in a constitution,
intended to endure for ages to come, and consequently, to be
adapted to the various crises of human affairs… Let the end be
legitimate, let it be within the scope of the constitution , and
all means which are appropriate, which are plainly adapted to
that end, which are not prohibited, but consist with the letter
and spirit of the constitution, are constitutional.”