Understanding Federalism in the United States

What is federalism?

• A division of power between states and a central government

• A system where only the central government has power

• A system where states have all the power

• A type of government where the president has all the power

What document created the federal government in the United States?

• The Articles of Confederation

• The Declaration of Independence

• The United States Constitution

• The Bill of Rights

How many states existed when the United States was born?

• Thirteen

• Twenty

• Ten

• Fifty

What is the main purpose of the Supremacy Clause?

• To allow states to create their own constitutions

• To make state laws superior to federal laws

• To ensure federal laws are superior to state laws

• To give states the power to ignore federal laws

What are expressed powers?

• Powers that are implied but not stated

• Powers that only the president has

• Powers that only the states have

• Powers that are stated in the Constitution

What is an example of an expressed power of Congress?

• Establishing schools

• Declaring war

• Regulating local businesses

• Issuing driver's licenses

What are implied powers?

• Powers that only the states have

• Powers that are shared between states and the federal government

• Powers that are not stated but are necessary to carry out expressed powers

• Powers that are clearly stated in the Constitution

What clause allows Congress to have implied powers?

• The Supremacy Clause

• The Necessary and Proper Clause

• The Commerce Clause

• The Establishment Clause

What is an example of a concurrent power?

• Declaring war

• Coining money

• Taxation

• Regulating interstate commerce

What was the main issue with the Articles of Confederation?

• It gave too much power to the federal government

• It was never ratified by the states

• It was too weak and states could ignore federal laws

• It did not allow for a president