FEDERALISM IN THE U.S.
Name: ______________________________
The Division of Powers – NOTES & ACTIVITY
Date: _____________
MAIN IDEAS &
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
NOTES
Bullet-point, paraphrase, summarize, etc.
a.
1.) Reasons for a
Federal System
b.
a.
b.
2.) Advantages of
Federalism
c.
d.
a.
b.
3.) Disadvantages of
Federalism
c.
d.
a.
4.) “Delegated Powers”
b.
c.
Directions: With a partner, or in small groups, identify the following information using your pocket constitution
and/or textbook. When you are finished, we will discuss as a class.
1.) EXPRESSED POWERS: Using Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, locate and identify 10 expressed
powers of the United States Congress.
2.) EXPRESSED POWERS: Using Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, locate and identify 5 expressed powers
of the President of the United States.
3.) EXPRESSED POWERS: Using Amendments 11-27 of the U.S. Constitution, locate and identify 3 expressed
powers of the Federal or State Governments.
4.) CRITICAL THINKING & IMPLIED POWERS: Locate and identify the “Necessary and Proper Clause” in Article I,
Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. In your own words, explain what you think the meaning of this clause is and its
importance to the powers of Congress.
5.) CRITICAL THINKING & INHERENT POWERS: Inherent powers are powers that are NATURALLY GIVEN to
sovereign governments because they are a sovereign government. Try to think of and list 3 examples of an
inherent power of the U.S. Federal government.
6.) CRITICAL THINKING & RESERVED POWERS: The constitutional course of Reserved Powers throughout the
country is the Tenth Amendment. In your own words, explain the meaning and significance of the Tenth
Amendment.
7.) CRITICAL THINKING & RESERVED POWERS: List 3 political and/or societal issues that you believe fall under the
Reserved Powers category.
8.) DENIED POWERS: Using Article I, Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution, locate and identify 3 powers that are
expressly denied to the Federal government.
9.) DENIED POWERS: Using Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution, locate and identify 3 powers that are
expressly denied to the State governments.