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Lesson

Federalism

Guiding question

How has the Constitutional principle of federalism shaped government policies over time?

Duration
110 min
Grade
9–12
Published
Nov 5, 2020
Map of the United States highlighting the southeastern and midwestern regions with state boundaries and names.
Provide students with a comprehensive study of federalism. Through the Constitution’s system of federalism, power is divided between national and subnational governments. Federalism allows citizens to make policy decisions at state and local levels. Decentralization draws individuals out of private life and compels civic engagement.

Founding Principles

Federalism

Guiding Questions

  • How has the Constitutional principle of federalism shaped government policies over time?
  • How does the legacy of slavery relate to the principle of federalism?
  • To what extent and in what ways have the powers and functions of the two levels of government changed in the 20th and 21st centuries?
  • How has the Supreme Court interpreted the Commerce Clause?
  • How did Founders Roger Sherman and James Madison understand federalism?

Objectives

  • Students will describe functions of the national government according to Article I of the Constitution.
  • Students will explain how the Constitution in Article IV and the Tenth Amendment both prohibits and enables certain state powers.
  • Students will define terms: expressed, enumerated, and reserved powers.
  • Students will analyze primary sources and the Constitution in order to understand the principle of federalism.

Materials

Student Handouts

Optional (Supplemental) Videos:

Lesson Components

ActivityHandout A: Federalism Venn Diagram
ActivityHandout B: Article I Sections 8, 9, 10 of the Constitution and the Tenth Amendment
ActivityHandout C: State Power Criticisms and Responses
ActivityHandout D: Excerpts from Roger Sherman, June 6, 1787 (From Madison’s Notes on the Philadelphia Convention)
ActivityHandout E: Excerpts from Federalist No. 39, James Madison (1788)
ActivityHandout F: Excerpts from Democracy in America, Advantages of the Federal System, Alexis de Tocqueville (1835)
ActivityHandout G: An Overview of Federalism at the Founding and Early Republic
ActivityHandout H: How Has the Supreme Court Interpreted the Commerce Clause?
ActivityHandout I: Commerce Clause Timeline

Lesson plan

110 minClick a phase to open it

Key Terms

Alexis de Tocqueville
Article I
Articles of Confederation
Commerce Clause
Constitution

Standards

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Related materials

Map of the United States highlighting the southeastern and midwestern regions with state boundaries and names.
EssayEssay: Federalism

Through the Constitution’s system of federalism power was divided between national and subnational governments allowing citizens to decide local questions for themselves. This decentralization he contended draws individuals out of private life and compels them to civic engagement.