Skip to Main Content

Video

Reading Excerpts from South Dakota v. Dole | A Primary Source Close Read w/ BRI

Grade
6–12
Duration
25 min
Topics
Federalism
Published
Feb 12, 2021
Text graphic featuring "Primary Source Close Read" and "South Dakota v. Dole Decision Excerpts" with a road background.

Watch

Founding Principles

Separation of Powers

About this video

What authority does Congress have over spending? To accompany our South Dakota v. Dole Homework Help video, Mary and Josh explore decision excerpts from the case to fully understand the majority and dissenting opinions. Is it constitutional if Congress only gives states funding for highways if they set the minimum drinking age to 21? To what extent should Congress protect the welfare of society, and where should the line be drawn?

Standards

Check whether this resource aligns with your state’s standards →

Related Resources

Graphic featuring text about the Supreme Court case South Dakota v. Dole, with an illustration of a gavel.
VideoSouth Dakota v. Dole | BRI’s Homework Help Series

Why is the drinking age set at 21? This Homework Help video explores the dispute between states and the federal government over the legal age, and how it is an example of the principle of federalism in action.

LessonSouth Dakota v. Dole (1987)

Case background and primary source documents concerning the Supreme Court case of South Dakota v. Dole. Dealing with the whether or not the federal government can attach conditions to money given to states in areas where the federal government has no enumerated power, this lesson asks students to evaluate the extent to which the Court's interpretation of the General Welfare Clause and attachment of conditions to federal funds given to states is consistent with the principle of federalism.

Statue of a seated figure in front of a neoclassical building with columns, inscribed with "Equal Justice Under Law."
E LessonSouth Dakota v. Dole Viewing Guide