Name:___________________________________________________________________date:____________period:___
UNIT 2.1 – FEDERALISM
The purpose of the guided reading and note-taking packets is to help guide you through the textbook, and
help you prepare for in-class discussions and activities. You can choose to use all or part of each packet and/or
another method that serves your learning. Only the enduring understanding response(s) portion of the packet
will be formally assessed. Additionally, you are expected to master the content outlined in the packets, and
that content mastery will be formally assessed.
1. Which of the limited government principles are served or undermined by the elastic clause?
2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Constitution containing both the Supremacy Clause and
the Tenth Amendment?
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In-class – Key components and characteristics of federalism
Definition of federalism:
Types of powers provided under the Constitution
Powers
Definition
Where in the Constitution?
Example
Expressed
Implied (elastic clause)
I.8.18
Concurrent
Reserved
Full Faith and Credit (IV,1)
10th amendment
Role of the Supremacy Clause (VI.2):
McCulloch v Maryland (1819)
Nullification
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Read Section 6.2: Identify and describe the four main benefits of Federalism
Read Section 6.3: Complete the chart below.
Type of Federalism
Dates Existed
Explanation of how State and National Powers were defined during this
period
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Federalism – Just How Does It Work?
Objective:
To see how the various powers granted or denied to the governments in the US are applied.
Directions:
Using the list of powers, your notes, the Constitution determine what type of powers are being used or denied for
each scenario. Then provide the explanation why – refer to the specific part of the Constitution that is invoked.
Note that many scenarios refer to more than one type of power granted and denied.
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expressed powers
concurrent powers
reserved powers
implied powers (remember the ELASTIC CLAUSE)
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powers denied both federal and state governments
exclusive powers
powers denied to the states
powers denied to federal government
Type of Power(s)
1. The House of Representatives just approved a $235
billion highway repair bill.
Constitutional Explanation
expressed powers
-
implied powers
-
the right to appropriate $ is granted
to H of R (I.7)
postal roads (I.8)
elastic clause (I.8.18)
2.
The states each have a different licensing exam for
individuals who want to practice law.
3. The Obama administration ordered the removal of all
US combat troops from Afghanistan by the end of
2014.
4. Congress passed a law requiring public libraries to
have filtering software that barred individuals from
accessing any kind of pornography website.
5. A number of states forbid the sale of certain automatic
guns.
6. Congress passed a bill in 1976 changing the US to the
metric system.
7. California passed a law that raises the age for a clear
driver’s license with no provisions to 18 years of age.
8. Nebraska makes the Lutheran Church the official
church of the state.
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9. Pennsylvania imposes an additional sales tax on any
products made with foreign steel.
10. Congress passed a law that requires people who
register to vote be able to speak English.
11. Texas passed a law banning flag burning.
12. California joined the Powerball Multi-state Lottery.
13. The newest cabinet department – The Department of
Homeland Security – was created in 2003.
14. The Supreme Court upheld Oregon’s physician
assisted suicide law in 1999.
15. 17 states have legalized same-sex marriage as of
December 2013.
16. In 2008, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Agency adopted a new citizenship test.
17. In 2010 the federal government passed a law allowing
individuals to have loaded weapons in national parks.
18. In September 2008, the US Congress passed the
Troubled Asset Relief Program, providing up to $800
billion to help rescue banks from failure.
19. In January 2009, President Obama signed an executive
order closing the prison at Guantanamo Bay.
20. In 2000, California passed a law requiring all diesel fuel
vehicles reduce their emissions by 75%.
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UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
National Government
FEDERALISM
State Governments
Local Governments
Concurrent Powers
Enumerated/Delegated Powers
Expressed Powers
Reserved Powers
Denied Powers
Implied Powers
Powers denied to States
Powers denied to Feds
Exclusive Powers
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