This is a government concept where powers are divided between the national government and the state governments What does that mean?

That means that the National government is only allowed to do some specific things; such as declare war. It also means that some specific things can only be done by the state governments; such as establishing schools. There are some powers that are shared then by both the national and state governments; meaning that they can both do them. An example of this is that both can collect taxes.

Okay, then what are the specific powers that the National government has?

 Make copyright and patent laws  Declare war and make peace treaties  Establish immigration and naturalization laws  Govern territories and admit new states  Establish foreign policies  Create and maintain the armed forces  Coin money  Regulate interstate and foreign trade  Establish a postal service  Set standard weights and measurement

I get it ! The national government has powers that deal with running the whole nation. They have to control the making of money, or every state would have their own. Okay now what powers do the states have ?

 Establish and maintain schools  Regulate trade within their state  Establish local governments  Conduct elections  Provide for public safety  Create corporation laws  Create laws about domestic relations (marriage divorce etc.), wills, and contracts  Assume powers not granted to the national government nor prohibited to the states.

Right, so states get powers that that they need to run their specific state. This is easy! Now didn’t you say there were powers that the national government and state governments share; meaning they can both do them?

 Raise and collect taxes  Pay debts  Borrow money  Build roads  Provide for the public welfare  Establish courts and criminal justice  Create banks

Lets Review Federalism is the division of power between the national and state governments The national government is given powers to take care of the nation as a whole The state governments are given powers that allow them to regulate their own state There are some powers that both the National and state governments need to use.