Download Chapter 4 Section 3

Chapter 4
Section 3
Relations Among the States
Pages 76-79
Objectives
• 1. Describe how states are admitted to the
United States.
• 2. List ways in which states work together in
the federal system.
Admitting New States
• To become a state, a territory usually
petitions, or asks, Congress to be allowed into
the Union.
• Enabling Act: legislation that directs the
territory to draft a state constitution
establishing a representative government.
• Territory elects delegates to draft a
constitution. Approval of the residents of the
territory, submitted to Congress for approval.
• Act of Admission: legislation that makes the
territory a state with status equal to that of all
the other states.
• Some states were formed from existing states. A
new state may not be formed from the territory
of an existing state without that state’s
permission. [example: Virginia-had seceded from
the Union during the Civil War. Created West
Virginia from the Restored Government of
Virginia.]
States in the Federal System
• States cooperating with each other. Full Faith
and Credit: Article IV, Section 1, of the
Constitution states, “ Full faith and credit shall
be given in each state to the public acts,
records, and judicial proceedings of every
other state.” Public acts refers to civil lawslaws that govern relationships among
individual parties and that define people’s
legal rights. [contracts, legal ownership of
property in another state.]
• Convictions, settlements and other decisions
of courts in other states. States do not have
to enforce other states’ criminal laws, which
includes certain actions and provide
punishment for violations. It also covers theft
and murder.
• Requires states to honor official records.
[driver’s licenses, car registrations, and wills]
State Cooperation
• States are particularly cooperative with one another in
family court cases. For example, a Brooklyn woman
who was on probation in New York but living in South
Carolina near her aunt was allowed to enjoy more
frequent visits with her six year-old son. The aunt
requested custody of the child, who had been living
with a foster family in New York, so he could be closer
to his mother.
• This situation is not unusual. A huge body of legislation
guards parents’ rights. Federal and state law require
the New York family court to comply with requests
such as the aunt’s in this case, provided that the
relative is considered to be a qualified guardian.
Privileges and immunities
• Article IV, Section 2 of the Constitution: “ The
citizens of each state shall be entitled to all
privileges and immunities of citizens in the
several states.” Meaning that a resident of one
state cannot be unreasonably discriminated
against by another state.
• You must become a resident of the state to
vote in elections or serve on juries.
Extradition
• Crime is another way in which states cooperate.
Remember one state cannot enforce another state’s
criminal laws. Article IV, Section 2, of the Constitution
provides for the extradition of people who are alleged
or convicted of committing a crime.
• Extradition: process of sending a suspect or criminal
back to the state from which he or she has fled.
• 1987: The Supreme Court ruled that governors must
honor extradition requests from other states.
Interstate Compacts
• Interstate Compacts: or agreements with
other states, if Congress approves. This deals
with flood control, protection of natural
resources, and pollution.
Any State Activity
• Task one: Choose any state in the United
States. Easy!
• Task Two: Profile your chosen state-[state
symbols, state flag, population, year of
admission, tourism highlights, weather,
economics, waterways, etc….]
• Task Three: Create a poster that reflects your
state profile.
• Task Four: On your poster show captions on
economics, tourism, symbols, etc.
• Task Five: Be able to share with the class why
you chose your state.