Our Federal System of Government
Session 4: Federalism

Materials

• Textbook
• Transparency: “Selected Powers of the National, State, and Federal Government” (Attachment B)

Instructional Activities

1. Explain that federalism is the sharing of power between the national and state (and local) governments. Each level of government has some powers all its own (for example, the national government has the power to coin money, wage war, write treaties; state governments have powers related to education and voting,) and some that are duplicated (for example, both levels have a court system). Primary responsibilities of each level of government include the following:
   •    National government conducts foreign policy, regulates commerce.
   •    State government promotes public health, safety, and welfare.
   
   
2. Use Attachment B to show selected powers of the national, state, and federal government.
   
   
3. Ask students to look at the powers at the state and national level and make a list of powers listed for both levels and those listed for the state or national government.
   
   
4. Create a Venn diagram on the board using the powers identified by the class. (Explain that the purpose of today's lesson is not to remember the powers of each of the levels of government — just to see which are unique powers and which are shared.)