Description

Federalism, quite simply, is the division of power between the federal, or national, government and state governments. The Constitution lays out the powers and limits on  power of the federal government, leaving all other powers to the states. But since the Great Depression, the federal government has become more involved in traditional state matters. In this unit, we'll investigate the power struggle between the states and the federal government and analyze the benefits and drawbacks of a federal system of government.

My Videos

Organizing Governments
Federalism Introduction
American Federalism

Important Files

Federalism Study Guide
File Size: 34 kb
File Type: pdf
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Homework Assignments

Assignment 1: Federalism Basics

  • MindTap: What Do You Know about Federalism?
  • What If?, page 70
  • Chapter Introduction, page 71
  • Three Systems of Government, page 72
  • Study guide question 1
  • Key terms 1-3
  • MindTap: Comparing Federal and Confederal Systems

​Assignment 2: American Federalism

  • Why Federalism?, pages 72-76
  • Study guide questions 2-4
  • MindTap: The Advantages and Disadvantages of the U.S. Federal System

Assignment 3: Federalism and the Constitution

  • The Constitutional Basis for American Federalism, pages 77-82
  • Study guide questions 5-8
  • Key terms 4-13
  • MindTap: Federalism and the Constitution

Assignment 4: Dual and Cooperative Federalism

  • Defining Constitutional Powers - The Early Years, pages 84-86
  • States' Rights and the Resort to Civil War, pages 86-88
  • The Continuing Dispute over the Division of Power, pages 88-92
  • Study guide questions 9-10
  • Key terms 14-19
  • MindTap: Dual and Cooperative Federalism

Assignment 5: Grants-in-Aid and Politics Today

Assignment 6: Federalism and the Supreme Court

  • Federalism and the Supreme Court Today, pages 97-99
  • What Would You Do?, page 100
  • Study guide question 14
  • Key term 24
  • MindTap: Chapter 3 Quiz

​Assignment 7: Study for Unit 1 Cumulative Test

  • Review all your notes from the year so far
  • Review 5 Steps to a 5 chapters 6 and 7
  • Try practice questions in textbook, pages 689-697

Paul Sargent's History and Government