-
Period: to
Dual Federalism/ John Marshall
This is an era in our history. Dual federalism is the belief that national government and the state governement are of equal power. The National government only has the powers listed in the Constitution and all other powers are left to the state. During this period, Supreme court chief John Marshall and other leaders gradually tried to increase power of the National Government. -
McCulloch vs. Maryland
This was a bank dispute that reached the Supreme Court. At the time, leadership was under the chief justice John Marshall. This case did much to expand the powers of the national government. The court ruled decisively to create a National bank. Congress exercised an implied power to start a bank because it would help the government regulate commerce and currency. -
Doctrine of a Nullification
Southern politicians believed that states had the right to cancel national laws that would clash with state interests. For example, in 1832, South Carolina voted to nullify specific national tariffs as they favored the Northern industry over the Southern plantations. If the states decides to challenge a national law, three quarters of the states have to ratify to allow Congress to enact the law. -
Doctrine of Secession
The idea that tthe states have a right to seperate from the Union. Secession was the most extreme option for those who believed in state sovereignty. For example, in 1860 Lincoln was elected president and southern states feared that he would try to limit or even ban slavery. After Lincoln's election, secession and war quickly followed. South Carolina was the first to secede and was followed by 10 other states. These states formed the Confederacy. -
Reconstruction Amendment
After the war, the Government passed the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments collectively known as the Reconstruction Amendments. These amendments abolished slavery and stopped states from taking away people's rights. The Reconstruction Amendments were important because they set national standards. -
Interstate Commerce Act
Congress passed the commerce act to regulate the railroad industry. As the railways grew , the compainies gained unpresidented power. In places were railways were the only effective methond of transport the companies would charge more. The Interstate Commerce Act set restrictions on the rates that could be charged. -
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
This act prevented monopolies or executive control of a certain market. The act also encouraged further competition in all industries. In the early 1900's the act was used to break up a number of large monopolies including that of the American tobacco industries. -
United States vs. E.C Night Company
The court ruled that a combination of sugar industries was not allowed under the Sherman Act. The court's decisions said that because the sugar companies acted locally, they could not be regulated under the National Government. -
Period: to
Cooperative Federalism
The belief that all levels of government work together to solve problems such as poverty. -
Period: to
The New Deal
As a result of the Great Depression poverty and unemployment was widespread. In 1933, President Roosevelt created a plan that would help relief for citizens. His program was known as the New Deal and included programs to address the needs of Americans. This marked a major change in the National Governement because for the first time, the government assumed responsibility assumed welfare for the people. -
Lyndon Johnson/ Great Society
President Lyndon Johnson further expanded the powers of the national government with his Great Society program, a series of initiatives aimed at eliminating poverty and social inequality. He called his approach to solving national powers creative federalism. -
Period: to
Creative Federalism
The National Government funded state and local programs that met national goals such as fighting poverty -
Period: to
The Reagan Years/ Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan supported returning powers to the states. He believed that the national government was less effective than state governments. As a president, Reagan worked to reduce the size of the national government by cutting national grant money to the states and relaxing the requirements of how they can use the money. -
A contract with America
A political election that promised to achieve a specific goal with 100 days of election. Central to the contract of america was the idea of returning power to the states. This power was known as devolution. The contract pledged to reduce the size of the national government by cutting expensive government programs and reviewing federal budget.