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AP US History
AIM: Does the system of checks and balances and Federalism stymie progress?
Article. I. Section. 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United
States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Section. 2.
The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of
the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the
most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.
Section. 3.
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the
Legislature thereof for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.
Article. II. Section. 1.
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office
during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected,
as follows:
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the
Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of
Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators
and Representatives to which the State may be
entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or
Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust
or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed
an Elector.
Article III. Section. 1.
The judicial Power of the United States shall be
vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior
Courts as the Congress may from time to time
ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the
supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices
during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times,
receive for their Services a Compensation, which
shall not be diminished during their Continuance in
Office.
The 3 Branches of Government & Checks and Balances
Power
Create and pass legislation
(laws).
Veto bills (says NO to the
ideas for laws)
Ratify treaties
(laws about issues with
other countries)
Appoint Federal judges to
the supreme court.
Impeachment of federal
officials.
Declare laws
unconstitutional.
Judges are appointed for
life.
Controls where money goes
Which Branch has
the Power?
Who checks their
power and how?
Does the system of Checks and
Balances help or hinder
progress?
Federalism
A. Background
The Constitution divides the power to govern between the states and the national government. This division of power
between the levels of government creates a federal system of government. Today’s class will focus on the idea that
different laws are either delegated (specifically assigned or given to) by the National government or reserved (kept
back) by individual State governments. Certain laws such as declaring war and printing money are left to the National
government whereas other laws like driving age and speed limits are left up to individual States. Additionally, there are
some Concurrent (existing side by side) laws that are shared between the National and State governments. Let’s take
a look at a few laws and decide whether they are National, State or Concurrent.
B. Federalism in the Constitution
Amendment X: Delegated Powers are powers given to the National government. Reserved Powers are powers given
to State governments.
Article IV, Section 2: All States must give a citizen the same Rights that the National government gives them.
Article VI: The Constitution and National laws shall be the Supreme Law of the land. Any State laws that conflict with
National law will be overridden by National Law. In other words, all National Laws are more important than State Laws.
C. Delegated, Reserved and Concurrent Powers
Powers of the National Government
(Delegated Powers)
Powers of the States
(Reserved Powers)
Declare War
Establish and Maintain Schools
Maintain Armed Forces
Establish Local Governments
Regulate Interstate and Foreign Trade
Conduct Elections
Admit New States
Regulate Business Within the State
Establish Post Offices
Make Marriage Laws
Coin Money
Provide for Public Safety
Establish Foreign Policy
Assume Other powers not Delegated to the National
Government of Prohibited to the States
Make All Laws Necessary and Proper for Carrying out
Delegated Powers
Powers Shared by State and National Government (Concurrent Powers)
Maintain Law and Order
Provide for Public Welfare
Levy Taxes
Establish Courts
Borrow Money
Create Banks
D. Federalism in Our Everyday Lives!
The list below contains several headlines which might have appeared in newspapers. Read each one carefully and
refer to the chart on the other side of this worksheet to help you determine whether the headline is referring to power by
the National government (Delegated Powers), State government (Reserved Powers), or shared between the two
(Concurrent Powers).
Headlines
War Declared on Syria
No More Regents Exams
Tariff Bill Passes
Divorce Now Easier in New Jersey
Susan B. Anthony Dollar Issued
Gay Marriages Pass in California
New Draft Law for Army Goes Into Effect
U.S. Finally Switches to Metric System
Who has the power?
Delegated, Reserved or
Concurrent?
Does the system of Federalism
stymie (help or hinder) progress?