1. GO #6
Federalism
The U.S. Constitution establishes the principle of _federalism_, which is the
__division__ of power between the ___states__ and __national_ government.
The national government is
___supreme___
Powers not given to the national
government are __reserved__ for
the states. (10th Amendment)
The Constitution _denies_ certain powers to both the ___national__ and __states_
governments.
Primary Responsibilities of each level of government
National State Local
»Conducts foreign policy Promote public » 1000s
»Regulates commerce » health » Derive their
»provides for common defense »safety power from the
»welfare __state__
Tensions exist when federal __mandates_ require state actions without adequate funding. The
expansion of the national government’s powers into areas traditionally reserved to the states has
altered the relationship of states to the national government.

2. Separation of Powers
⇒ The powers of the national government are separated among _three_ branches of the
government in ways that __limit_ any one branch from abusing its power.
⇒ The U.S. Constitution defines the powers of the three branches of the national
government
o Article 1 ___Legislative Branch____: Create laws
o Article 2 ___Executive Branch____: Enforces laws
o Article 3 ___Judicial Branch_____: Interprets laws
Checks and Balances: Each of the three branches of the national governments limits the exercise
of power by the other two branches.
Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch
-Checks Executive -Checks Legislative - Checks Legislative
• Override presidential • Proposes legislation • Declare acts of
vetoes • Prepares annual budget Congress to be
• Impeach and convict a for Congress to approve unconstitutional
president • Call special session of -Checks Executive
Congress
-Checks Judicial • Declare executive
• vetoes legislation
• confirm or refuse to congress has passed
actions to be
confirm federal -Checks Judicial unconstitutional
judges/justices • appoints
• impeach and convict judges/justices
judges/justices