federalism

Federalism

Division of sovereign power across the local, state, and national government.

Sovereign power

The authority and autonomy held by each unit of government (state and national).

Autonomy

The ability of each level of government to operate without interference from other levels.

Police powers

The power to enforce laws and provide for public safety.

Concurrent powers

Responsibilities that are shared among the levels of government.

Local governments

Created by state charters and provide important services but lack autonomy.

Unitary government

A national, centralized government that holds ultimate authority.

Confederate government

A system where states have most of the power with a limited national government.

Intergovernmental organization

An organization that coordinates policy across member nations.

Necessary and proper clause

Article 1, Section 8 that allows Congress to create laws necessary to carry out its powers.

National supremacy clause

Article IV stating that federal law is the supreme law of the land.

10th amendment

Powers not given to the national government are reserved for the states and the people.

Full faith and credit clause

Requires each state's laws to be honored by other states.

Privileges and immunities clause

Mandates that a state must treat nonstate residents equally to its own residents.

Marshall Court

The Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Marshall, known for opposing states' rights.

Taney Court

The Supreme Court under Chief Justice Roger Taney, known for supporting states' rights.

Dred Scott v Sandford (1857)

Court ruled that slaves were property and not citizens, contributing to the Civil War.

1873 court ruling

The court ruled that due process and equal protection applied only to national citizenship, not states.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

The ruling asserting that Congress has broad power to regulate interstate commerce.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

The ruling that Congress can create a national bank and states cannot tax it.