Viviana Tryfonopoulos

Federalism PowerPoint Presentation Project

Ms. Groot
 Table of Contents

Federalism...................................................................................................................................Slide 3 and 4
Local Government.......................................................................................................................Slide 5 and 6
State Government............................................................................................................. ...........Slide 7 and 8
Federal Government........................................................................................................... .......Slide 9 and 10
Separation of Powers......................................................................................................... ......Slide 11 and 12
Judicial Branch.............................................................................................................. ..........Slide 13 and 14
Executive Branch............................................................................................................. ........Slide 15 and 16
Legislative Branch........................................................................................................... .......Slide 17 and 18
Checks and Balances.......................................................................................................... .....Slide 19 and 20
U.S Constitution.......................................................................................................................Slide 21 and 22
Reference Page............................................................................................................... .....................Slide 23
 Federalism
Federalism is a system of government in which the same territory is controlled by two levels of government (both the
national government and the smaller political subdivisions have the power to make laws, and both have a certain level
of autonomy from each other) Generally, an overarching national government is responsible for broader governance
of larger territorial areas, while the smaller subdivisions, states, and cities govern the issues of local concern.

The State government and National government had fought for several years... debating
on a balanced system of equal shared power...beginning during the Articles of
Confederation. The states remained sovereign and independent, during the Articles of
Confederation, and a newly created Congress served as a last resort to resolve disputes,
but the Articles had some weaknesses. The biggest problem was Congress wasn’t strong
enough to enforce laws or raise taxes. These flaws prompted the Constitutional
Convention of 1787. There, delegates from the 13 states drafted the Constitution to
address the problems with the Articles of Confederation. Federalists and Anti- federalists
had their point of views. The Constitution then created a stronger central government to
oversee national issues while keeping most power in the states.
 Federalism Continued...
Federalism limits government by creating two sovereign
powers...the National government and the State government. The
federal system creates a balance. The States and the Federal
government have both exclusive and concurrent powers, which
help to explain the negotiation over the balance of power
between them.

Practice Question:
Why did the State government and the National government unite to become a federal system?
C.. The State government had more control
A.. The National government was cruel and unfair. (power) during the Articles of Confederation.
B.. Both the State government and the National government had no D.. The President had considered.
power over British rule.
 Local Government
Local governments generally include two tiers: counties and municipalities, or cities/towns. The purpose of a Local
government is to provide an organized system where councils exercise their power and responsibilities to work
together for peace, order and good governance of their municipal districts.

The primary reason of establishing a Local government is to decentralize the functions

and powers of government to ensure that more people participate in the process of
governance. Local governments ensure opportunity to participate in decision-making,
bring the government closer to the people, training ground for national leadership,
political education, and reducing the workload of central government, etc.. Allowing
people to directly participate in decision making. Local people have better ideas and
knowledge about the local problems.
 Local Government Continued...
Practice Question:
Why do Local governments exist?

A.. Force law upon individuals. C.. Create a voluntary system of individuals.
B.. Discuss between slaves. D.. Impeach judges.

The goal of a Local government is to provide revenue to maintain, grow and improve
local infrastructure and community services. Local governments can initiate a
community's economic planning efforts, to build on their official community plan and
role of shaping community growth and determining land use. States are divided into
areas which carry out state laws within a specific geographic location. Cities, town, and
counties are granted specific powers by the state. Counties and cities are separate units,
independent of each other. However, towns are part of a county. Citizens of each county,
town, or city elect representatives to govern them. A county has a board of supervisors.
Towns or cities have mayors and councils to oversee the delivery of public
services. Local government responsibilities include managing most public services, such
as parks, libraries, schools, police, and fire services. Local governments solve common
problems, such as funding police and fire departments and education. They also work to
lessen air pollution
 State Government
The government of a nation or state (a state in an organized political community acting under a government). A State
government is a unit of government that specifically makes and enforces laws for a state.. State governments have certain
reserved powers, specific powers and responsibilities that the National government does not have.

A State government oversees affairs within state borders. Raises

income taxes and oversees state welfare programs. And controls
the state criminal code, maintains state roads, and carries out
federal laws and programs at the state level. State and Local courts
hear cases and interpret the state constitution and laws. State and
Local governments work together to operate schools and ensure
they meet state standards.
 State Government Continued...
There are 3 levels of government in the U.S.: Federal, State, and Local. All
levels of government must obey the U.S. and State Constitutions. The
U.S. Constitution gives the federal government certain powers and assigns all
other powers to the state governments. State governments establish the local
governments within their territories and delegate certain powers to them. Each
level of government is to unite and work together...creating a balanced system.

Practice Question:
Why is the State government superior to the Local
government?

A.. The state government is better. C.. The President dislikes the local government.
B.. Laws apply to the local government from the State D.. The local government has control over every level.
government.
 Federal Government
The Federal Government is composed of the three distinct branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial, whose powers are
vested by the U.S. Constitution in the Congress, the President, and the Federal courts, respectively. A Federal government is a
system of dividing up power between a central national government and local state governments that are connected to one
another by the national government.

The federal government produces currency, regulates taxes, establishes federal welfare
programs and foreign policy. It oversees the defense of the country and makes laws
that affect the nation. The federal government ensures cooperation of state and local
governments by providing funds to operate federal programs, such as affordable health
insurance, building roads, airports, highway systems, and pollution control.
 Federal Government Continued...
The federal government of the United States is the central reigning governmental body of the
United States, established by the United States Constitution. The federal government is made of
three branches: Legislative, Executive and Judicial. State and local governments are modeled
after the federal government. All powers not granted to the federal government are reserved for
the states and the people.

Practice Question:
Which branches is the Federal government split into?

A.. Legislative, Execute, Jury C.. Legislative, Judicial, Executive

B.. Judicial, Lejistlative D.. Judicial, Executive
 Separation of Powers
Refers to the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core
functions of another. The intent is to prevent the concentration of power and provide for checks and balances.

The three branches, are:

The Legislative branch is responsible for enacting the laws of the
state and appropriating the money necessary to operate the
government.
The Executive branch is responsible for implementing and
administering the public policy enacted and funded by the
legislative branch.
The Judicial branch is responsible for interpreting the constitution
and laws and applying their interpretations to controversies brought
before it.
 Separation of Powers Continued...
Separation of powers is a doctrine of constitutional law under which the
three branches of government (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial) are
kept separate. This is also known as the system of checks and balances,
because each branch is given certain powers to check and balance the
other branches. Each branch has separate powers, and generally each
branch is not allowed to exercise the powers of the other branches.

Practice Question:
Why do the 3 branches have separated powers?

A.. Branches do not like one another. C.. The Judicial Branch was once too powerful.
B.. Separation limits power from one another. D.. Congress decided to.
 Judicial Branch
The Judicial branch oversees the decisions of the meaning of laws, how to apply them to real situations, and whether a law
breaks the rules of the Constitution. The U.S. Supreme Court, the highest court in the United States, is part of the judicial
branch.

Judicial Branch exercises judicial review. Article III of the

Constitution established the federal judiciary. Members of the
judiciary are appointed by the president and confirmed by the
Senate, but actions may be checked by other branches.
For example; the Justices of the Supreme Court, who can
overturn unconstitutional laws, are nominated by the president
and confirmed by
Judicial Branch Continued...
Judicial branch evaluates laws (Supreme Court and other courts). The
Judicial branch interprets the meaning of laws, applies laws to individual
cases, and decides if laws
violate the Constitution. Federal courts are responsible for interpreting
federal law. It is comprised of the Supreme Court and other federal
courts. While Congress creates laws, the judiciary determines whether
laws are constitutional. The courts only hear claims of actual cases
and controversies.

Practice Question:
What is the responsibility of the judicial branch?

A.. Create laws. C.. Interpret laws.

B.. Execute Laws and/or force laws. D.. Impeach judges.
 Executive Branch Continued...
The Executive branch carries out and enforces laws (president, vice president, Cabinet, most federal agencies).. Article II of the Constitution
vests the president with the power and responsibility to enforce the laws created by Congress.

Article II of the Constitution vests the president with the power and responsibility to enforce the
laws created by Congress. The power of the executive Branch is vested in the President of the
United States, who also acts as head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The
President is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress and, to
that end, appoints the heads of the federal agencies, including the Cabinet. The president leads
the country. He or she is the head of state, leader of the federal government, and Commander in
Chief of the United States armed forces. The president serves a four-year term and can be elected
no more than two times.
 Executive Branch Continued...
Practice Question:
Why do you think the Executive branch has its power
checked by other branches?
C.. The Articles of Confederation had declared
A.. Preventing the executive branch from becoming too powerful. little power to the executive branch.
B.. Othe branches dislike the executive branch. D.. The judicial branch has superior power.

Actions may be checked by other branches. For

example: Congress confirms or rejects the president's
nominees and can remove the president from office in
exceptional circumstances.
 Legislative Branch
The Legislative branch oversees making laws. It is made up of the Congress and several Government agencies. Congress has
two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate are

voted into office by American citizens in each state. There are
currently 100 Senators, and 435 Representatives. The
legislative branch drafts proposed laws, confirms or rejects
presidential nominations for heads of federal agencies, federal
judges, and the Supreme Court, and has the authority to declare
war. This branch includes Congress (the Senate and House of
Representatives) and special agencies and offices that provide
support services to Congress.
 Legislative Branch Continued...
Article I of the Constitution created the legislative body known as Congress.
The legislative branch consists of both the House of Representativesand
the Senate. Congress has the sole authority to write laws, declare war and
confirm or reject many presidential appointments.. Congress also has some
investigative powers. The House is made up of 435 elected members. Each
state elects members to the House. The number of representatives from each
state is determined by the state's population. The House has the power to
initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials and elect the president if there
is a tie in the electoral college. The House also approves appointments to the
vice presidency and treaties involving foreign trade. The Senate is made up
of 100 senators. Two senators are elected from each state by popular vote.
Practice Question: The Senate has the power to confirm presidential appointments that require
What reflects the number of representatives in each
consent and to ratify treaties. Additionally, the Senate tries impeachment
state? cases. To pass a bill, both houses of Congress must pass the same bill by a
majority vote.
A.. Congressmen. C.. Population.
B.. Delegates. D.. Pollution.
 Checks and Balances
The system of checks and balances in government was developed to ensure that no one branch of government would become
too powerful. The framers of the U.S. Constitution built a system that divides power between the three branches of the U.S.
government—Legislative, Executive and Judicial—and includes various limits and controls on the powers of each branch.

"Checks and balances” refers to the separation of powers that results from divided
branches of government outlined in the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Constitution
divides power among the three branches of government — executive, legislative, and
judicial — to prevent anyone from having too much power. Each branch is said to
have the ability to check the power of the others, thereby maintaining a balance in the
government.Though it’s sometimes said the United States has three “equal” branches
of government, the power of each has fluctuated throughout history.
Checks and Balances Continued...
Here are some examples of how the different branches work together:
• The Legislative branch makes laws, but the President in the executive branch can veto those laws
with a Presidential Veto.
• The Legislative branch makes laws, but the Judicial branch can declare those laws unconstitutional.
• The Executive branch, through the Federal agencies, has responsibility for day-to-day enforcement
and administration of Federal laws. These Federal departments and agencies have missions and
responsibilities that vary widely, from environmental protection to protecting the Nation’s borders.
• The President in the Executive branch can veto a law, but the Legislative branch can override that
veto with enough votes.
• The Legislative branch has the power to approve Presidential nominations, control the budget, and
can impeach the President and remove him or her from office.
• The Executive branch can declare Executive Orders, which are like proclamations that carry the
force of law, but the judicial branch can declare those acts unconstitutional.
• The Judicial branch interprets laws, but the President nominates Supreme Court justices, court of
appeals judges, and district court judges who make the evaluations.
• The Judicial branch interprets laws, but the Senate in the Legislative branch confirms the
President’s nominations for Judicial positions, and Congress can impeach any of those judges and
remove them from office.

Practice Question:
Which best defines "Checks and Balances"?

A.. Division of power between branches. C.. Citizens participate in government.

B.. Checking of power between branches. D.. Government is limited.
 U.S. Constitution
The fundamental law of the U.S. federal system of government and a landmark document. The oldest written
national constitution in use, the Constitution defines the principal organs of government and their jurisdictions and the basic
rights of citizens.

The Constitution of the United States established America’s national

government and fundamental laws and guaranteed certain basic rights
for its citizens. It was signed on September 17, 1787, by delegates to
the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Under America’s first
governing document, the Articles of Confederation, the national
government was weak, and states operated like independent countries.
At the 1787 convention, delegates devised a plan for a stronger
federal government.
 U.S. Constitution Continued...
Practice Question:
Why did the United States need a Constitution?
A.. Guarantee rights. C.. Both A and B
B.. Establish an effective government. D.. They didn’t need one.

The need for the Constitution grew out of problems with the Articles of Confederation,
which established a “firm league of friendship” between the States and vested most
power in a Congress of the Confederation. This power was, however, extremely
limited—the central government conducted diplomacy and made war, set weights and
measures, and was the final arbiter of disputes between the States. Crucially, it could
not raise any funds itself, and was entirely dependent on the States themselves for the
money necessary to operate. Each State sent a delegation of between two and seven
members to the Congress, and they voted as a bloc with each State getting one vote.
But any decision of consequence required a unanimous vote, which led to a
government that was paralyzed and ineffectual. The Constitution of the United States
is the foundation of our Federal Government. It is often called the supreme law of the
land; no law may be passed that contradicts its principles. At the same time, it is
flexible and allows for changes in the Government. The Constitution is known as a
“living” document because it can be amended.
 Reference Page
Federalism- https://www.britannica.com/topic/federalism Answer Key..
Federalism (Slide 4)- C
Federalism, State, and Local Governments.. Local Government (Slide 6)- C
https://www.ducksters.com/history/us_state_and_local_governments.php State Government (Slide 8)- B
https://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/identifying-federal-state-and-local-government- Federal Government (Slide 10)- C
bodies Separation of Powers (Slide 12)-B
Separation of Powers- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/separation-powers.asp Judicial Branch (Slide 14)- C
Judicial, Executive, and Legislative Branches- Executive Branch (Slide 16)- A
https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/education/three-branches/three-branches-of-
government Legislative Branch (Slide 18)- C
Checks and Balances- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/checks-and-balances.asp
Checks and Balances (Slide 20)- B
U.S. Constitution (Slide 22)- C
U.S. Constitution- https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/constitution