Definition of Federalism
A federal system divides power between a central government and smaller local governments. This sharing of power is intended to ensure that the central government is powerful enough to be effective, yet not so powerful as to threaten states or citizens. It also allows individuals states to deal with local problems at the local level so long as their actions are constitutional.
Here is a list of examples of how Federalism is applied today
- The use of different levels of court systems
- The use of different state vs. federal law
- State standards and federal standards are different to address certain issues
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Federalism over time...
Albany Plan (1754)
- This was the unification of most the colonies in agreement to act against the british crown. From this one primary example of federalism can be drawn this is when the COLONIES SENT DELEGATES TO THE STAMP ACT CONGRESS. This shows federalism by having each individual colony soon to be state joining together even though with different ideas to agree on protesting things that effected them all like the stamp act.
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Second Continental Congress (1775)
- Then came the continental congress from this two prime examples can be drawn to show federalism which are EACH STATE HAD ONE VOTE and EACH STATE WAS TO MAKE A STATE CONSTITUTION. Allowing each state to vote for issues within the central government would allow popular sovereignty within the states but yet remaining separate. Along with having separate constitutions from the major one which provided individuality to address certain state needs.
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Articles of Confederation (1781)
- The two prime examples that can be used from this document as federalism is STATES WERE UNDER A FIRM LEAGUE OF FRIENDSHIP and AMENDMENTS COULD ONLY BE ADDED IF ALL STATES AGREE. although it is known that the articles of confederation failed some of the points from it still show use of federalism within that time. The firm league of friendship basically allowed each state to be completely independent from the central government and other states but had to share could ties and not make enemies. With the use of all states agreeing on amendments this prevented the central government from trying to force and objective laws on the states they didn't agree on.
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Virginia Plan (1787)
- The virginia plan was known for its many accomplishments in what was created to help benefit the nation. Several points that be drawn from this as examples of federalism these are THE STATES WERE NOT BOUND TO OBEY GOVERNMENT LAW the HOUSE OF REPS WAS BASED OFF STATE POPULATION also CONGRESS HAD SOME POWER OVER STATE ISSUES as well as CONGRESS HAD POWER TO CREATE NEW STATES. From these sates not being bound to government law shows how the separation of central and local government was applied including how congress were forbidden to interfere with state issues. This can also representation from house of reps shows how central government was limited and was trying to still influence the states within major issues.
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New Jersey Plan (1787)
- In complaint from some things of the Virginia plan the new jersey plan was created which fixed somethings that never occurred from the Virginia plan. One example of federalism from this plan is how the FEDERAL EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIAL BRANCHES WERE FORMED. From the creation of these branches this meant that not all executive or judicial issues would be sent automatically to the central government but could be handled on a more independent local level providing freedom to the states and less power to the central government.
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