Study guide 99What is federalism and why
does it matter?
Define federalism and explain its significance.
(Pages 72–74)Summary
A federal system simultaneously allocates power to both the state and
federal government, whereas a confederal system gives power only to
the states, and a unitary government gives power only to the federal
government.Key terms
federalism (p. 72)
sovereign power (p. 72)
police powers (p. 73)concurrent powers (p. 73)
unitary government (p. 74)
confederal government (p. 74)Practice Quiz Questions
- What system of government did the Articles of Confederation
establish?
a unitary
b federal
c confederal
d monarchy
e dictatorship - Which is an example of a concurrent power?
a printing money
b building roads
c conducting elections
d declaring war
e establishing post offices
Balancing national and state
power in the Constitution
Explain what the Constitution says about federalism.
(Pages 75–77)Summary
Although the state governments have considerable power in our
system, the Founders disproportionately favored the federal govern-
ment in the Constitution so that the federal government’s interests
superseded those of the states in the event of a conflict.Key terms
full faith and credit
clause (p. 76)privileges and immunities
clause (p. 76)Practice Quiz Questions
- States’ rights are protected in which of the following constitu-
tional provisions?
a the Ninth Amendment
b the Tenth Amendment
c Article I of the Constitution
d Article III of the Constitution
e the First Amendment - Which of the following would be best explained by the Tenth
Amendment?
a Congress increasing the minimum wage to $10 an hour
b the California state legislature declaring it was going to create
its own navy
c state and local control over education policy
d the Supreme Court’s recent decisions in same-sex marriage
cases
e the Environmental Protection Agency passing a new
regulation on carbon emissions that applies to all 50 states
The evolving concept
of federalism
Trace the major shifts in state and federal government
power over time. (Pages 77–82)Summary
The relationship between the state and federal governments has
changed dramatically over time. Whereas the federal and state
governments traditionally operated with little interaction under the
era of dual federalism, the trend over the past 80 years has been one
of increasing federal interaction with state governments to address
particular policy areas.Study Guide
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