Federalism is a governing system that enables states or provinces to share power with the national government. The concept of Federalism is giving certain responsibilities and allowing decisions to be made at the state level and allowing the same thing on a national level (Nagel, 183). In the United States, power is divided between one central government and fifty separate states. Federalism separates sovereignty between a central area and a regional or local area (Miskelly, Nice 111). Federalism can be dated back to 1200-1400 ad when a federal union was created called the Iroquois Confederacy. The union was created to bring peace between the Northern Americans who were at war. In 1754, Benjamin Franklin drew up a plan for a federal government
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The US Constitution offered the system of dual federalism, which made clear divisions between the responsibilities of the government and states (Miskelly, Noce 114). It began around 1789 and continued to the start of the Civil War. Dual federalism is called “layer-cake federalism” because of how the duties were separated between the government, states, and local governments. Dual federalism is also known as divided sovereignty because the states were allowed to use their powers without the national government interfering. The government was very limited in their power over the states and the states could question the decisions that were made. The government handled national defense, growing the economy, and dealing with foreign policy. The states handled criminal law, state economics, and other local matters. Dual federalism ended at the end of World War II, when the Southern states wanted more control, especially concerning slavery. The Great Depression also brought on the need for a new system that allowed the government to play a bigger role in helping …show more content…
He created this form of federalism to give some power back to the states. Under New Federalism, the government tried to streamline services, decentralize programs and redirect state funds (Miskelly, Noce 120). New Federalism allows the government to provide block grants to the states that fund programs designed by the states and local governments. A block grant is a large sum of money provided for assistance in community development and social services. Although the states are allowed to implement various programs that use these grants, there are rules and guidelines established by the government that state how, when and where the money can be used. An example of a program that uses Block grants is the Department of Housing and Urban Development. With federal money, the states are able to provide housing, education, food, and other resources needed for poor and low-income citizens in the community. The Federal Government cannot force states to comply with certain rules but they can withhold funding if they feel it is necessary. On March 1974, Congress enacted the National Maximum Speed Law to 55 MPH. Montana was the only state that did not have a daytime speed limit until this time. The government threatened to withhold highway funding money for states who did not comply. Afterwards, Montana gave drivers a $5 fine for going over the 55 MPH
The US Constitution offered the system of dual federalism, which made clear divisions between the responsibilities of the government and states (Miskelly, Noce 114). It began around 1789 and continued to the start of the Civil War. Dual federalism is called “layer-cake federalism” because of how the duties were separated between the government, states, and local governments. Dual federalism is also known as divided sovereignty because the states were allowed to use their powers without the national government interfering. The government was very limited in their power over the states and the states could question the decisions that were made. The government handled national defense, growing the economy, and dealing with foreign policy. The states handled criminal law, state economics, and other local matters. Dual federalism ended at the end of World War II, when the Southern states wanted more control, especially concerning slavery. The Great Depression also brought on the need for a new system that allowed the government to play a bigger role in helping …show more content…
He created this form of federalism to give some power back to the states. Under New Federalism, the government tried to streamline services, decentralize programs and redirect state funds (Miskelly, Noce 120). New Federalism allows the government to provide block grants to the states that fund programs designed by the states and local governments. A block grant is a large sum of money provided for assistance in community development and social services. Although the states are allowed to implement various programs that use these grants, there are rules and guidelines established by the government that state how, when and where the money can be used. An example of a program that uses Block grants is the Department of Housing and Urban Development. With federal money, the states are able to provide housing, education, food, and other resources needed for poor and low-income citizens in the community. The Federal Government cannot force states to comply with certain rules but they can withhold funding if they feel it is necessary. On March 1974, Congress enacted the National Maximum Speed Law to 55 MPH. Montana was the only state that did not have a daytime speed limit until this time. The government threatened to withhold highway funding money for states who did not comply. Afterwards, Montana gave drivers a $5 fine for going over the 55 MPH