Understanding Federalism - OL 2019-2020

Master federalism! Identify federal, state, and local government powers with our easy-to-use worksheet.

Federalism Federalism refers to a system of government where the power to govern is divided among federal, state, and local governments. This power comes from the people. The people loan their power to the government by voting for representatives and some major issues. It is an important civic concept to understand because people encounter different levels of government -- from federal, to state, to local -- frequently in their everyday experience. Federalism Match the term to the correct definition. Federal Government the organization through which political authority is exercised at the national level, the government of the United States. State Government the organization through which political authority is exercised at the state level, the government of Texas. Local Government the governing body of a municipality, county, or town, the government of Leander. School Board the governing body of a local school district, the governing body of Leander ISD. Federalism Identify the level of government relevant to each example. Choose federal, state, local, or school board from the drop down. Example Level The many small children who live on your neighborhood street love to play outdoors. Unfortunately, the traffic on your street moves too fast, creating a safety hazard. You would like to have a sign installed warning drivers to slow down and watch for children at play. Which level of government would you contact? Local You served in the US Army for eight years and are planning to attend college on the GI Bill (a college scholarship provided by the government to military veterans). Which level of government would you contact to make sure you receive your GI Bill benefits? Federal Your child attends the local middle school. You are unhappy with the current dress code of the school district. You would like to see the dress code changed for all schools. Who would you contact to revise the policy? School Board You have just moved from Casper, Wyoming to Tallahassee, Florida, and you need a driver's license. Which level of government would you contact? State Use the drop down box to determine whether each part is describing the federal, state, or local government. The best part of getting your state driver's license (state) is the day you finally get to drive to school (local). I grabbed the car key from a basket by the front door and walked nervously out to the driveway. "Hold it," called my dad. "I had to renew the state vehicle registration (state). Please put it in the car for me." Driving down my neighborhood street (local), I felt free. This was much better than riding a bike or waiting for the school bus (local).Several traffic lights (local) down the county highway (local), I got stuck behind a stopped commuter bus. I had what seemed like an eternity to read all the messages painted on the back of the bus. It was a state department of transportation (state) bus with a U.S. Department of Transportation (federal) registration number. I finally got on the interstate (state) and thought, "I can make it to school on time if there are no more stops."Right before my exit, though, I came upon a fender bender that had snarled traffic in all the lanes but one. It was not serious. A pickup had run into a U.S. Mail (federal) truck. Everyone seemed okay, although the pickup's air bag had inflated (federal). An ambulance and a fire truck (local) were on the scene, and a state police officer (state) directed traffic.I finally got to school and found the very last spot in the student parking lot. I grabbed my laptop and ran for my homeroom. I ran as fast as I could and didn't even slow down and look when I got to the crosswalk (local). I made it with 30 seconds to spare. This was going to be a great day. Federalism "In the compound republic of America, the power surrendered by the people is first divided between two distinct governments, and the portion allotted to each subdivided among distinct and separate departments. Hence a double security arises to the rights of the people. The different governments will each control each other at the same time that each will be controlled by itself." James Madison, Federalist Paper #51, 1788.Note: Madison's idea of division of power between central and state governments is known as Federalism. Specific power divisions can be seen in the chart below. Document Analysis Use the quote from James Madison to answer the next questions. A Federal Government The Constitution designed a federal government - a system which divided the powers of the national government and those of the states. In some areas, the national government was in control in such things as war, treaties, trade, land matters, money, and post offices. Each state controlled what went on within it, and that did not affect the nation. Power of Government State or National? A tax is placed on products coming to America from foreign countries. National Money is given to repair state roads. State An agreement is reached between a European country and America. National A new stamp is designed to commemorate the signing of the Constitution. National Speed limits on rural highways are established. State A child must be of a certain age before entering public school. State The borders between two states will be a river. National The election day date for state officials is set. State Money was allocated to build five new aircraft carriers for the US Navy. National Vocabulary Match the word with the definition. Use the above to help you. necessary required proper right clause part of a document elastic able to stretch implied powers suggested powers