TYPES OF GOVERNMENT: VT STANDARD 6.10 Students compare and evaluate the philosophical underpinnings and the workings of different types of
governments, including constitutional governments, in various times in their local community, in Vermont, in the United States, and in various locations world—wide.
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Creating a New Government: The Federal System
The 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention wrote a plan of
government that has lasted over 220
years. These delegates were familiar with
history and philosophy, and they had
learned many important lesson from our
past. They read philosophy books and
believed in the values of a republican
government with a system of checks and
balances in order to protect people’s
natural rights.
the power needed to govern their own
affairs.
Federal Hall
The Federal System
To achieve this balance, the framers
established a system of government
known as Federalism, or a Federal
System. Federalism divides the powers
between the national government,
which governs the whole country, and
state governments, which govern each state.
power to have its laws enforced and interLocal governments do not have independpreted on a national level! As a result,
But the new challenge existed with differ- ent power under either system.
Congress could now coin and print
ent people’s beliefs about the role of govmoney, raise an army, control trade
The powers granted to the federal governernment. Should we have a strong or
among the states and other countries,
ment by the Constitution are known as
weak government? Those that supported
delegated powers. These include such pow- and set taxes.
a strong plan of government were known
ers as control of foreign affairs, providing
Then the delegates established a system of
as the Federalists and those that supnational defense, regulating trade between
ported a weak plan of government were
checks and balances to prevent one
the states, and coining money.
branch from becoming too powerful.
called Anti-Federalists.
Powers kept by the states are called reserved
In short, the Federalists believed in a
powers. These include powers such as prostrong plan of government supported by a
viding and supervising education, establishConstitution, whereas the Antiing marriage laws, and regulating trade
Federalists believed in a weak plan of
within a state.
government supported by the Articles of
Confederation. What were we to do???
Both levels of government share important
Ratifying the Constitution
After the Constitution was signed by 39
of the 42 present framers, the work was
not over. The Constitution now had to
be sent to the states for ratification, or
approval; it needed to be ratified by 9 of
powers that include the right to tax, to borThe framers of the Constitution agreed
row money, pay debts, and establish courts.
that the central government needed
These powers are known as concurrent
greater power. At the same time, the
powers.
framers agreed that the states should keep
the 13 states. Some citizens of the states
were quick to support the Constitution
in hopes to restore order and economic
success (Federalists).
Separation of Powers
The framers increased the powers
of the federal government under
the Constitution by first establishing a legislative branch that would
make the laws, an executive
branch to carry out the laws, and a
judicial branch to interpret the
laws. Congress now had the
Others, however, were afraid that this
new plan would lead to a government
with too much power (Anti-Federalists).
As the Constitution was debated in each
of the states, the Federalists gradually
gained momentum. Some states however, suggested that a list, or a bill of
rights should be added to the Constitution in order to protect the people and
the states.
Source: Civics In Practice: Principles of Government and Economics Gregory I. Masing: Holt, Rinehart and Winston 2007