The Constitution
Federalism
Amendment X
“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”
Use the above quote and the video clip to explain the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution:
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Delegated, Reserved and Concurrent Powers
Federalism in Action
DIRECTIONS: The list below contains several headlines which might appear in newspapers. Read
each one and label it as a national power (DELEGATED) or state power (RESERVED) or a both
(CONCURRENT) (use the chart above for reference).
“War Declared on Iraq”
“Schools to Mandate Computer Training”
“Tariff on Cigarette Imports Increased”
“Divorce Made Easier in NJ”
“Postage Stamp Rises to $.44”
“New One Dollar Coins To Be Issued”
“Draft Laws Changed As War Ends”
“NYC Increase Police Protection of UN”
“New Taxes Created to Prevent Deficit”
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The Marble Cake of Federalism
“The American form of government is often, but erroneously, symbolized by a three-layer cake. A far more
accurate image is the rainbow or marble cake, characterized by an inseparable mingling of differently
colored ingredients, the colors appearing in vertical and diagonal strands and unexpected whirls. As the
colors are mixed in the marble cake, so functions are mixed in the American federal system. The American
federal system has never been a system of separated governmental activities. There has never been a time
when it was possible to put neat labels on discrete “federal,” “state” and “local” functions.”
–
Morton Grodzins
How does a “marble cake” explain federalism in our government?
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Scenarios
Directions: With a partner, choose two of the scenarios and answer the two questions in your
notebook:
1. How does this scenario illustrate Federalism ? Use example and evidence
2. Does this lead you to think Federalism works or doesn’t work?
#1 Abortion Laws
#2 Teaching Evolution and Creationism
The statement below was attached to science text books in Georgia
In Kansas, the state board of education adopted
standards that
opponents say single out
evolution for criticism and open the
door to
supernatural causation. Steve Abrams, chairman of
the
school board, says the Jones decision won't
affect Kansas. "It's apples and oranges," he says.
Abrams says the board won't
revisit its policy
but voters can decide next year when five of 10
board seats are up: "They will have the final say."
•
In Ohio, the state board of education adopted a statement supporting critical analysis of evolution
and lesson plans
opponents say were lifted straight from creationist and intelligent design
literature.
#3 Distribution of Welfare Benefits to Poor Families
Each state offers their own “Aid to Families with Dependent Children” and food stamps to families of
three or more. The following are selected monthly state benefits (based in 1994):
Connecticut
California
New York
$862
$850
$806
Mississippi $412
Alabama
$441
Texas
$476
#4 State Punishment For Cocaine
In 1978, Michigan adopted a law requiring a mandatory life sentence in jail for persons convicted of
possessing more than 650 grams (about 1.5 pounds) of cocaine. Mr. Harmelin had 672.5 grams of
cocaine in the trunk of his car when the police stopped him for running a red light. When he was
convicted in 1978, Michigan was the only state to impose a mandatory life sentence for that amount of
cocaine. For the same crime, Alabama and other states punished the crime with a 5 year sentence.