Lesson 39 of 84 · The Constitution
⭐ 30 XP🏛️ Civic SquareFederalism: Shared Power
Federalism is a system of government that divides power between a central authority and regional entities, such as states.
🎯 Your mission
Decide what YOU would do in their shoes.
⚡ The twist
Not voting is also a vote.
Mind = Blown
🤯 In ancient Athens, 'democracy' only included about 10% of the people.
Then & Now
🏛️ Knowing this makes you a better voter when you grow up.
Federalism is a system of government that divides power between a central authority and regional entities, such as states. In the United States, federalism is a key feature of the Constitution, which grants certain powers to the national government while reserving others for the states. This shared power allows for a diverse range of laws and policies that can be tailored to the needs of local populations. Federalism encourages cooperation and negotiation between different levels of government, ensuring that both local and national interests are represented in governance.
Key Facts
Federalism divides power between the national government and state governments.
The Constitution enumerates specific powers for both levels of government.
This system allows for local adaptation of laws and policies.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 2What is the main characteristic of federalism?
Why this still matters
Your school has rules. Where do they come from? Who decides them?
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Watch a town meeting or council clip on YouTube for 5 minutes.
For the dinner table
“What's one rule at our house you'd change if you could vote on it?”
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