Exploring the Concept of Federalism in the U.S.

The video explains federalism, a system where power is divided between a national and state governments. In the U.S., federalism allows certain powers to be held by the federal government, such as regulating trade and declaring war, while states manage their own laws and schools. The historical context of federalism stems from the desire to avoid tyranny after gaining independence from Great Britain. Federalism was a compromise to balance power between national and state governments, ensuring unity without central tyranny. The video concludes with resources for further discussion.

What is the basic concept of federalism?

• A system where power is centralized in one government.

• A system where power is divided between national and state governments.

• A system where power is divided between local and international governments.

• A system where only state governments have power.

In the United States, what is the national government commonly called?

• Local government

• Federal government

• Provincial government

• State government

How many state governments exist in the United States?

• 13

• 50

• 100

• 25

Which power is exclusively held by the federal government?

• Local taxation

• State police

• Declaring war

• Running schools

Which of the following is a shared power between federal and state governments?

• Regulating trade between states

• Running state police

• Declaring war

• Taxation

Why did the United States adopt a system of federalism?

• To balance power between national and state governments and avoid tyranny

• To ensure states had no power

• To centralize all power in the national government

• To follow the British model of governance

What was a major concern of the states after gaining independence from Great Britain?

• Losing power to other states

• Gaining too much power

• Having a strong national government

• Forming a monarchy

What was the compromise that federalism provided?

• A strong national government with no state powers

• A weak national government with strong state powers

• A balance of power between national and state governments

• A system where only local governments had power

What is one result of federalism in the United States?

• Only state courts exist

• No courts exist

• Only federal courts exist

• Both federal and state courts exist

Where can you discuss federalism or other matters related to US law?

• At the local library

• On the message board

• At the federal government office

• In a state court