Our Federal System of Government
Session 3: National versus State Government

Materials

• Textbook
• Handout: “National Versus State Government” (Attachment A)
• Transparency: “Powers Denied to the National Government and to State Governments” (Attachment C)

Instructional Activities

1. Explain that the Constitution of the United States establishes the principle of federalism, which is the division of power between the states and the national government. However, the relationship between the two levels of government has changed over time.
   
   
2. Distribute handouts (Attachment A), and ask students to look for answers to the following questions (write them on the board):
   •    What was the first type of government in America?
   •    Why did the colonies form a weak government under the Articles of Confederation?
   •    What does the word federalism mean?
   •    What is the advantage of federalism?
   
   
3. Go over the answers to questions in a large group discussion.
   
   
4. Using the transparency at Attachment C, present and discuss the powers denied to the national government and to state governments by the Constitution.