Federalism
Definition A federal system divides power between a central government and smaller, local governments. This sharing of power is enough to be effective, yet not so
powerful as to threaten States or citizens. It also allows individual States to
deal with local problems at the local level-so long as their actions are
constitutional
How is it Applied Today?
Example: State controls freeways
- Demonstrates Federalism as the federal government cannot control state freeways.
Example: State controls speed limits.
- Demonstrates federalsim as the federal government cannot enforce speed limits.
- Demonstrates federalsim as the federal government cannot enforce speed limits.
Example:
State determines gay marriage rights.
- Demonstrates federalism as each state may have a poll to determine gay marriage rights.
But how has it Been Applied Over Time?
Royal Colonies:Appeals from the decisions of the propriety colonies could be carried to the king in London
- Demonstrates federalism as colonies could make decisions on appeals by themselves.
visit http://www.experiencefestival.com/thirteen_colonies_-_proprietary_royal_and_charter_colonies to learn more.
New Jersey Plan/ Virginia Plan (1787): Had to be ratified by the states.
- Demonstrates federalsim as the document could not be completed unless by the consent of the states.
visit http://www.usconstitution.net/plan_nj.html to learn more.
First Continental Congress (1774): Prompted a meeting of all the colonies.
- Demonstrates federalism as the colonies were able to organize while British Parliament was still in power.
visit http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312848/ccf.htm to learn more.
First Continental Congress (1774): Refused all trade with England until the hated taxes and trade
regulations were repealed
- Demonstrates federalism as the colonies were able to negate trade with Britain.
visit http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312848/ccf.htm to learn more.
Second Continental Congress (1776): Created a money system.
- Demonstrates federalism as the colonies were able to use their own created money.
visit http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h656.html to learn more.
Second Continental Congress (1776): Raised local armies and a navy under state agreement.
- Demonstrates federalism as each state was able to raise military power under its own abilities and without consent of parliament.
visit http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h656.html to learn more.
Second Continental Congress (1776): Bought and provided supplies to armies under state agreement.
- Demonstrates federalism as the state governments were able to strengthen their militaries out of British authority.
visit http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h656.html to learn more.
Articles of Confederation (1777, rat 1781): States were responsible for protecting life and property and were also accountable for promoting the general welfare and other powers not granted to Congress.
- Demonstrates federalism as the states were given powers that could not be tampered with from congress.
visit http://www.usconstitution.net/articles.html to learn more.
Virginia Plan (1787): Representation in each house was to be based either upon each State’s population or upon the amount of money it gave for the support of the central government
- Demonstrates federalism as each state was allowed to carry representatives apart from the central government.
visit http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=7 to learn more.
Virginia Plan (1787): Each state was guaranteed a republican form of government.
- Demonstrates federalism as each state was allowed its own official government, with republican values.
visit http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=7 to learn more.