1. The Federal System What it is, How it works.
Texas and Federalism
The Federal System
What it is, How it works.

2. Definition (Write this down)
Federalism
a political system in which several states or regions defer some powers, (e.g. in foreign affairs), to a central government while retaining a limited measure of self-government

3. What it means…
Texas is part of a federal system = Texas is part of the USA
It is no longer a separate entity (republic)

4. State Equality Texas is legally equal to all other U.S. states
Each state can create state laws that affect everyone within that state.

5. What Each State CAN Do Create laws regarding marriage and property
Create school districts and curriculum
Set minimum ages for:
Drivers licenses
Getting married

6. What Each State CANNOT Do
Coin or create their own money
Create state laws that violate constitutionally protected civil rights
Create international Trade agreements
Declare war – (only U.S. Congress can do that)
However, the USA has final legal authority over all of the states
Legal authority is established by the U.S. Constitution and Federal Laws
This includes supervisory control over state/local law enforcement.

7. National Guard States have a national guard
It is illegal for the president to “call out the guard”
It may only be called out by the state governor
This protects citizens from standing federal armies being used as harassment

8. National Guard However-
The guard may be federalized - and temporarily absorbed into the U. S. Army during wartime (such as the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq).
A state governor may refuse….
But that is frowned upon during wartime.