Download Federalism Notes - Woodridge High School

I. Federalism – System of government in which a constitution
divides the powers of government between a central
government and state governments.
II. Division of Power – Powers assigned to the national
government and reserves other to the states.
III. Expressed Powers – Powers spelled out in the Constitution
a. Example: Article I, Section 8 – Constitution expresses
27 given powers to Congress which include:
i. Collect taxes
ii. Declare war
iii. Coin money
IV. Implied Powers – Powers not stated in the Constitution but are
reasonably suggested
a. Basis for implied powers comes from an expressed
power where Congress is given, “necessary and proper
power”, which basically means, “convenient and
useful”
b. Examples:
i. Building hydroelectric plants
ii. Interstate highway system
V. Inherent Powers – Powers that over time, the national
government has come to possess.
a. Examples:
i. Regulate immigration
ii. Protect against rebellion
VI. Powers Denied to the Federal Government
a. Constitution denies some powers to the national
government expressly (or written)
b. Some powers are denied to the national government
because of the silence of the Constitution (or if there are
no provisions, power is denied)
c. Some powers are denied tot eh national government
because of the federal system itself.
i. Example: Congress cannot tax the state