Federalism and Pennsylvania Government Overview

Federalism

A system where power is divided between a national (federal) government and state governments.

Federal Government: Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution for the federal government.

Examples of Enumerated Powers

Include coining money, declaring war, making treaties, running the post office, and regulating interstate commerce.

State Government: Reserved Powers

Powers not given to the federal government or denied to the states are reserved for the states or the people (10th Amendment).

Examples of Reserved Powers

Include education, marriage laws, intrastate commerce, elections, policing, and gambling regulations.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both state and federal governments.

Examples of Concurrent Powers

Include building roads, taxing citizens, protecting the environment, establishing courts, and eminent domain (taking private property for public use).

Governor

Josh Shapiro: The chief executive of the state of Pennsylvania.

Lieutenant Governor

Austin Davis: Supports the governor and may *************** if needed.

General Assembly: PA's Legislature

Composed of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

PA House of Representatives

203 members, each representing about 50,000 people.

PA Senate

50 members, each representing about 250,000 people.

Your Local Representatives (Cheltenham)

State Rep: Napoleon Nelson; State Senator: Art Haywood.

1780s - Articles of Confederation

First U.S. government structure, with a weak federal government and strong states.

1787 - U.S. Constitution

Created a stronger federal system with checks and balances.

1787 - 10th Amendment

Emphasized that powers not given to the federal government go to the states.

1819 - McCulloch v. Maryland

Ruled that states can't interfere with or tax federal institutions.

1830s - Nullification Crisis

Some states tried to ignore federal laws they disagreed with, but the federal government resisted.

1861-1865 - Civil War

Tested federal vs. state power; ultimately, federal authority prevailed.

1860s-1870s - Reconstruction Era

Early years: federal government enforced civil rights in Southern states. Later: states began to regain control.

1870s-1940s - Jim Crow Era

States passed segregation laws; the federal government had weak enforcement.

1930s - New Deal Era

The federal government gained more control over the economy during the Great Depression.

1960s - Civil Rights Era

Federal government passed laws to ensure civil rights (e.g., Civil Rights Act).

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery.

14th Amendment

Guaranteed citizenship and equal protection.

15th Amendment

Voting rights for Black men.

19th Amendment

Women's suffrage.

24th Amendment

Banned poll taxes.

26th Amendment

Voting age lowered to 18.

18th Amendment

Prohibition of alcohol (federal control).

21st Amendment

Repealed Prohibition, giving states control over alcohol laws.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

Expanded federal power over interstate commerce.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Ended legal segregation in public schools.

Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)

Legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

William Penn's Role

Founded Pennsylvania in 1681 as a colony based on religious freedom and democratic principles.

Holy Experiment

Penn's vision was to create a society where different religions could coexist peacefully.

Frame of Government (1682)

Penn's written constitution that granted freedoms like religious liberty, fair trials, and elected representatives.

Legacy of Penn's Government

Influenced future democratic governments, including the U.S. Constitution.

Quaker Values in Government

Emphasized peace, equality, and tolerance—core principles reflected in Pennsylvania's early laws.