1. The Federal System

2. The Constitution and Federalism
When the original 13 colonies became states, they behaved like 13 individual nations
This proved to be weak and ineffective and had to be changed
They created the federal system
The states and central government share power
Reserved Power
Concurrent Power

3. Reserved Powers Power given to the states
It is established by the 10th Amendment
Powers include:
Marriage and divorce laws, to regulate education, and hold elections
States are responsible for:
Public health, safety, and welfare of citizens

4. Concurrent Powers Power is shared by the state and federal governments
Both the state and federal governments have the power to:
Taxes and Borrow Money
If conflicts arise between states and federal government, the Supreme Court decides the case
Article VI states that all laws that Congress makes shall be the “supreme law of the land”
Supremacy Clause

5. Governmental Cooperation
Since the 1930’s the state and federal governments have increasingly cooperated to fund and administer a wide variety of programs
These include: highways, education, and welfare

6. Grants-In-Aid
The federal government awards money, called grants-in-aid, to the states to help them pay for some of their programs
The states must contribute some of their own money though, and they must obey rules set by Congress

7. Full Faith and Credit Article IV encourages interstate cooperation
States must honor each others laws and court decisions
Marriages, Driving Requirements, etc.

8. State Constitutions
Each state differs because each state has their own ideas on what makes a good government
This regulates how the state governments raises and spends their money