-
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation served as the United State's first constitution when it was ratified in 1781. The Articles gave almost all of its power to state governments and very little to the national government. Because this constitution gave more power to state governments, this event caused an increase in state power. -
Constitutional Convention
Representatives from almost every colony met at in Philadelphia for the historic Constitutional Convention. This meeting morphed into a rewrite session which manifested itself into the United States Constitution as we know it today. The current Constitution relies on, and gives more power to he National government rather than state government. For this reason, this event increased the power of the National government. -
Commerce Clause (A1, S8, C3)
The Commerce Clause gives the National government the power to regulate interstate commerce and to regulate commerce with other nations. Because of this responsibility, this clause increases the power of the National government. -
Necessary and Proper Clause (A1, S8, C18)
The Necessary and Proper clause in the Constitution gives Congress the power to create and pass laws that they deem necessary in benefitting the National government. Because of this elastic power, the National government gains responsibility. -
10th Amendment to the Consitution
The 10th Amendment is the last of the Bill of Rights. This Amendment gives the states the power over anything not specifically stated or prohibited in the Constitution. This ambiguous clause increases the power of the States. -
McCulloch v. Maryland
In this Supreme Court case, the state of Maryland attempts to tax the National Bank which the Supreme Court eventually deems as unconsitituional. This use of power showcases the ability of the National government. -
Gibbons v. Ogden
In this Supreme Court case, Aaron Ogden is being sued by Thomas Gibbons for operating his steamboat in Gibbon's jurisdiction. The case was over turned by New York courts which stated that the issue was within the National government's power. this case established national power's superiority to state's power. -
Civil War
The Civil War is known as America's bloodiest in its history. It is also one of the best examples of the National government's superiority over State governments. Abraham Lincoln did not allow the South to break away and form their own nation (for very long). He used National authority over the military to fight for America to be unifed once again. -
Creation of Land-Grant Colleges
Land-Grant Colleges are educational institutions created from national grants. These gratns from the National government show the State's reliance on the National government because they are the ones who gave the money to create such places. -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment states that all people born or naturalized within the United States is a citizen. It also states that it is unlawful for states to enforce laws the jeoporadize the rights of the people. This amendment increased National power by showing how it put its foot down on State governement power. -
Pure Food and Drug Act
The Pure Food and Drug Act are laws that were passed to regulate the production and sale of different foods and medicines within the United States. These laws were passed on the National level which overrules what laws States may have previously passed regarding this topic. -
16th Amendment
The 16th Amendment gives the National governement the power to tax the incomes of citizens. This Amendment rules over State governments seeing as though it is an Amendment in the Constitution. -
Gitlow v. New York
In this Supreme Court Case, Gitlow was convicted in the state of New York for inciting to overthrow the government. This case displayed a rise in state power due to it going against he 14th Amendment and it still being upheld. -
The New Deal
The New Deal displays the National government's supremecy over the States because it was the National government that gave grants to states to fund projects that lead to the countries escape from the Great Depression. -
Brown v. Board of Education
This Supreme Court case showed the National government's supremecy over the States because it overruled what States were doing within their education systems regarding race. This case impacted federalism because the National government shutdown State laws that allowed for the segregation of schools in their jurisdiction. -
Economic Opportunity Act of 1964
The Economic Opportunity Act authorized the creation of Community Action Agencies that were directly ran by the National government. These agenceies showed National dominance because their power surpassed that of the State government. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it illegal to discriminate against people because of their race, religion, sex, etc. This increased the power of the National government by overruling preexisting State laws. -
Roe v. Wade
This Supreme Court case determined that a woman's right to an abortion in the first trimester of her pregnancy. This shows that State's had the power over such a controversial issue such as abortion. -
Election of Ronal Reagan
The Reagan administration rolled back preexisting national policies that declared what State's could and could not do. In doing so, he increased the power of State governments. -
American's with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA made it harder for people with disabilities to be discriminated against. These laws limited some powers of the States which in turn increased the power of the National government. -
United States v. Lopez
This Supreme Court case effected federalism by showing that the Supreme Court did not support the National government over charging Alfonzo Lopez with having a firearm on school property. This only served the raise the power of State governments because it showed that the National government cannot always do everything. -
104th Congress
The 104th Congress was held by a majority of Republicans. This caused them to eliminate polices that limited the power of the States because they favored State rights over those of the National government. -
Printz v. United States
This Supreme Court case caused the National governemnt to overturn part of a law because it went against the 10th Amendment. The 10th Amendment being upheld was an increase to the power of State governments. -
No Child Left Being Act
This act regulated what children were taught in schools and how they were to be tested. This took away State's power and their say in education; this increased the National government's power in doing so. -
Development of the Department of Homeland Security
The creation of this department increased the powers of the National government by giving themselves more authority over the defense of the country.
