Name______________________________________ Date______
Period______
Federalism
Term
Federal
Government
Definition
the organization through
which political authority is
exercised at the national
level, government of the
United States
State
Government
the organization through
which political authority is
exercised at the state level,
government of a specific
state
Local
Government
the governing body of a
municipality or county
Visual Representation
U.S. Constitution
Federal
Government
Federal & State
Governments
State
Governments
Enumerated
(Delegated)
Powers
Concurrent
Powers
Reserved Powers
State
Constitution
Local
Governments
Federalism is found in the U.S. Constitution. In the Constitution, there are powers
specifically listed for the federal government and an amendment about state government
powers. Powers set aside specifically for the federal government are called enumerated or
delegated powers. Powers for each branch of the federal government are located in
Articles I, II, and III. Powers for state governments are called reserved powers and are
listed in the Tenth Amendment. Some powers belong to both the federal and state
governments. These powers are called concurrent powers. Local governments get their
powers from state constitutions. The Florida Constitution outlines the organization and
powers of county and city governments.
The powers of each level of government relates to the types of issues each level deals
with. The federal government has the power to handle issues the entire nation is
concerned about. The state governments have the power to handle issues that concern
citizens of particular states. Similarly, local governments have the power to address
issues that concern citizens in towns, cities and counties.
Type of Power
Enumerated or
Delegated Powers
Definition
powers specifically listed in the
U.S. Constitution for the federal
(national) government only
Reserved Powers
powers that are given to the
states by the Tenth Amendment
to the U.S. Constitution
Concurrent
Powers
powers shared by the federal
(national) and state
governments
powers given to towns, cities
and counties by the Florida
Constitution
Local
Government
Powers
Examples
1. The power to raise and support an army and navy.
2. The power to coin money.
3. The power to declare war.
4. The power to conduct foreign policy.
5. The power to regulate trade between states and
internationally.
1. The power to run elections.
2. The power to set up and run schools.
3. The power to establish local governments
4. The power to regulate business in the state.
1. The power to levy taxes (tax the people).
2. The power to establish courts.
3. The ability to borrow money.
1. The power to create speed limits.
2. The power to protect citizens from crime.
3. The power to provide services related to garbage,
sewage, fire protection, and traffic control.
Define the term federalism in your own words:
A system of government which separates the power between the federal and
state government.
Before the U.S. Constitution, the United States had the Articles of Confederation and was
organized with a con-federal system. A con-federal system is a system of government
where power is held by independent states and there is little power in the federal
(national) government. The U.S. Constitution was written because of concerns about the
weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The federal government had very little
power and the states acted as independent nations with too much power. Government
power was unbalanced and there was no sense of national unity (togetherness).
To solve these problems, the U.S. Constitution was written and the United States moved
from a con-federal system to a system of federalism. The Founding Fathers had a big
goal. They needed to limit state power because states had too much power under the
Articles of Confederation. They also needed to create a federal government with limited
power. As a solution, the Founding Fathers created a system of federalism. This means
that power is shared between the federal, state, and local governments. The federal
government has its own powers, shares some powers with the states, and gives states
some of their own powers. By dividing power between different levels, this limits the
power of each level of government and one level of government cannot become too
powerful.
Decide which level or levels of (federal, state, or local) of government has the
power to deal with each issue. There could be more than one answer.
1. Who is going to keep people safe from speeding cars? Local
2. Who is going to protect us from foreign invasion or threats? Federal
3. There is a pothole in the street outside my house. Who should I talk to? Local
4. A group of people want to establish a new city. Who should they talk to? State
5. Who decides who might get married legally? State
6. Who resolves conflicts between states? Federal (Supreme Court)
7. My garbage hasn’t been picked up in two weeks, who do I talk to about this issue?
Local
8.
Who makes sure that the country’s economy is safe and stable? Federal
9. My taxes keep going up! Who can I talk to about this? Federal, State, and Local
10. Who is in charge of passing laws around here? Local & State & Federal
11. I want to breed cows in my residence. Who should I talk to? Local
12. I am 18 and I want to get married. What level of government will give me a license?
State
13. There will be a new person on the twenty-dollar bill. What level of government will
approve this? Federal
Review Sheet USA 4 due January 27, 2017
Content Vocabulary
1. amendment- to change or add to a constitution.
2. constitution- a plan for government that provides a framework for the powers,
responsibilities, and limits on government.
3. supreme-highest in rank or authority.
4. overrule-to rule against or disallow the arguments of (a person).
5. social security- a program of old-age, unemployment, health, disability, and
survivors insurance maintained by the U.S. federal government through compulsory
payments by specific employer and employee groups.
6. treaty-a formal agreement between two or more states in reference to peace,
alliance, commerce, or other international relations.
7. veteran benefits-a payment or gift, as one made to help someone or given by the
government, an employer, an insurance company, or a public agency to a former
member of the military. This includes but is not limited to health care, education
(G.I. Bill), and reduced mortgage rates.
8. legislative branch-the branch of government having the power to make laws; the
legislature.
9. executive branch-the branch of government charged with the execution and
enforcement of laws and policies and the administration of public affairs; the
executive
10. judicial branch-the branch of government charged with the interpretation of
laws and the administration of justice; the judiciary.
11. State of the Union-an annual message to Congress in which the president
reports on the state of the nation and outlines a legislative program: required by the
Constitution (Article II, Section 3).
12. checks and balances-limits imposed on all branches of a government by vesting
in each branch the right to amend or void those acts of another that fall within its
purview.
13. separation of powers-the principle or system that divides the government into
separate branches the executive, legislative, and judicial powers of a government.
***********Mont
Sq
14. delegated powers-are specific powers granted to Congress by the U.S.
Constitution. (also known as enumerated powers)
15. reserved powers-powers granted to the state by the 10th amendment.
16. concurrent powers- refer to political powers that are shared by both the state
and federal governments.
17. Supremacy Clause-Article VI, Paragraph 2 of the Constitution is commonly
referred to as the Supremacy Clause. It establishes that the federal constitution, and
federal law generally, take precedence over state laws, and even state constitutions.
18. Federalism-A system of government in which power is divided between a
national (federal) government and state governments.
19. Policy making- The process of formulating policies, especially in politics. Rules
of guidelines implemented by the departments of the federal, state, and local
governments. ( Palm Beach County Schools allows each school to create their own
dress code policy)
20. cabinet- Advisors to the president and governor. The president appoints his
cabinet and they must be confirmed by the Senate (checks and balances). In Florida
the cabinet is elected by the voters.
Use the textbook to answer these questions. Read chapter 13.
1. What is the process for amending the U.S. Constitution? 2/3 approval vote in
Congress (Senate & House of Representatives) and ¾ of state legislatures.
2. What is the process for amending the Florida Constitution? Changes to the
Florida Constitution can be proposed by a joint resolution of the Florida Legislature,
citizens' initiative process, constitutional revision commission, or taxation and
budget commission. Proposed amendments require 60% approval from voters to
pass [see Florida Constitution, Article XI, Section 5(e)].
3. How are the amendment processes of the U.S. and Florida Constitutions similar?
Both U.S. and Florida amendments can be proposed by the legislature.
4. What topics are covered in the Florida Constitution that is not in the U.S.
Constitution? The Florida Constitution addresses the topic of education. Florida
Constitution mentions God and equal rights. It has specific state rules and
regulations.
5. What are services that are provided by the federal government? Collect taxes,
provide veteran services, creates court systems, coins money, build interstate
highways, enforce treaties, postal service, provide armed forces, national parks,
regulates immigration, regulate interstate commerce, create a national bank.
6. What are services that are provided by the state government? Collect taxes, set
educational standards, create court systems, issue professional licenses, build
interstate highways, create cities and towns, issue driver’s licenses.
7. What are services provided by the local government? Local governments provide
many services: education, police and fire protection, parks, hospitals, highways,
housing, and many others. These services are provided by counties, townships,
municipalities (cities and towns), school corporations, library districts and other
special districts (such as solid waste management districts or fire protections
districts)
8. How are the legislative and executive branches of government different from
each other? Whereas the legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch
enforces the laws. Legislative (declare wars, coins money, confirms appointments,
impeaches, is made up of the House of Representatives and Senate) and executive
(overseeing the armed and police forces, determining foreign policy and foreign
relations, determining fiscal policy, is made up of the President , VP, and his cabinet)
9. How is the legislative branch different from the judicial branch? Legislative
makes the laws while the judicial interprets the laws. Legislative (impeach), judicial
(strike down or overturn laws that violate the U.S. Constitution). Members in
Legislative serve either 2 or 6 years, Supreme Court Justices serve for life.
10. Why must the President give a State of the Union address to Congress? The
address can trace its roots back to the Constitution. Article II, Section 3, Clause 1 of
the Constitution says that the President "shall from time to time give to Congress
information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such
measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.
11. Which clause maintains that laws and treaties made by the national government
take precedence over state laws? Supremacy Clause
12. What right can be denied to the citizens of Florida? The right to vote.
13. What level of government provides the most services to citizens? Local
Sample Questions:
1. The Venn diagram below shows features of the constitutions of Florida and the United
States.
Florida Constitution
U.S. Constitution
•
•
Has an elected
Governor
Deals with local
government,
public
education and
state finances
•
•
Begins with “We
the People”
Includes a bill of
rights
•
Has an elected
President
?
Which phrase completes the Venn diagram?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Sets up a system of courts
Allows the government to borrow money
Establishes a cabinet with three elected members
Gives Congress the power to coin money and declare war
The diagram below compares the processes for amending the U.S. and Florida
Constitutions.
U.S. Constitution
Proposal
Ratification
(Adoption)
Two-thirds of each House
of Congress votes for the
amendment.
Three-fourths of the state
legislatures ratify the
amendment.
2. Which sentence completes the diagram?
Florida Constitution
Three-fifths of each house of the
legislature votes for the
amendment; or an initiative of
voters proposes the
amendment; or the
Constitutional Revision
Commission or Taxation and
Budget Reform Commission
proposes the amendment.
?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The Speaker of the House approves the amendment.
Sixty percent (60 %) of the voters approve the amendment.
A majority of the Florida Supreme Court Justices approve the amendment.
A majority of the members of the Governor’s Cabinet approve the amendment.
3. Which service is provided by the federal government?
A.
B.
C.
D.
national defense
garbage collection
setting education standards for children
operation of police and fire departments
4. Which service is provided by state governments?
A.
B.
C.
D.
cleaning local roads
operating local school districts
managing local police and fire departments
setting statewide education standards for children
5. The Venn diagram below compares the powers of the federal and state governments.
Federal government
State governments
* Declare war
* Raise taxes
* Regulate state elections
* Issue patents & copyrights
* Borrow money
* Maintain a school system
* Establish a navy
Which phrase completes the Venn diagram?
A. Coin money
B. Maintain state highways
C. Maintain a court system
?
D. Regulate interstate commerce