Nation Example: United States

State Examples: Maryland, Texas, Florida

Local Examples: Baltimore, San Antonio, Miami-Dade County

Definition: Unitary A strong central government controls decisions at national and state levels

Example of a Unitary Government: The American people have operated under three different forms of government in our short history. It was a unitary system under King George III because he and his officers made all major decisions from England. However, the colonists were upset because they felt he couldn’t understand their needs from all the away across the Atlantic Ocean. They wanted a greater voice in their own government.

Definition: Confederate Each state government controls its own affairs

Example of a Confederate Government: For a period of time the state of Texas operated independently from the United States’ national government. Texas controlled its own economy and even traded with other foreign countries. Leading up to the American Civil War, several states broke away in a similar way because they disagreed with national policies. In fact, this loose collection of states called themselves the Confederate States of America.

Definition: Federal Power is shared between national and state governments

Example of a Federal Government: In the country of Germany, the states share the power to tax, build roads and import (buy) goods from other countries. There are certain powers, such as the power to build an army, which the nation is given instead of the states. Overall, most of the government’s powers are shared between the nation and the states.

CFU What’s going on in this picture?

Supremacy Clause When a conflict arises between state law and federal law, the federal law must be followed. (According to the Constitution.)

Justice Dept. won't challenge state marijuana laws – USA Today WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department will not attempt to challenge state laws that allow for the medical and recreational use of marijuana as long as the drug sales do not conflict with eight new federal enforcement priorities. Those include the distribution of marijuana to minors and sales that assist or act as cover for trafficking operations, according to a directive being issued Thursday to federal prosecutors across the country. Although the directive issued by Attorney General Eric Holder will apply nationwide, it will largely affect the 20 states and the District of Columbia that allow for medical marijuana use, and Colorado and Washington where state laws allow medical and recreational use by adults.