Federal in Federalism

Who should decide what students should learn? Who should decide what tests they take?

The Constitution gives the federal government enough power to overpower the states.

A strong President is necessary to protect the country against foreign attack and make sure laws are carried out properly.

The Constitution gives the federal government just a few powers that are very well defined.

The Constitution says federal laws are “the supreme law of the land,” so the federal government could just take complete control.

The United States is too large to have a central government. People won’t know their leaders and will lose control over the government.

Imagine you are in charge of creating a government for a brand new country. Which system would you choose if...

You want a central government to have the most power?

Imagine you are in charge of creating a government for a brand new country. Which system would you choose if...

You want laws to be the same throughout the country?

Imagine you are in charge of creating a government for a brand new country. Which system would you choose if...

You want the central government to have the least power?

Imagine you are in charge of creating a government for a brand new country. Which system would you choose if...

You want individual states to keep as much independence as possible?

Imagine you are in charge of creating a government for a brand new country. Which system would you choose if...

You want both national laws and state laws to exist? 

Imagine you are in charge of creating a government for a brand new country. Which system would you choose if...

You want a balance between power in the states and the central government?

State had no government at all when America was born. 

America's central government is known as the federal government.

Federalism is the division of power between states. 

Powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people. 

Powers that states and the federal government share are call concurrent powers.

Implied powers are stated in the constitution and expressed powers are not.

The Supremacy Clause says state laws are superior to federal laws. 

The Constitution lets Congress do what is "necessary and proper" for carrying out its powers.

An association of independent states is called a unitary form of government. 

How well do you understand federalism and the division of power between the central government and the state governments?