FEDERALISM

Use the following quotes, charts, and graphs to gain a more in-depth

understanding of federalism. (These may be on the test)

• Madison Federalist No. 45The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce. The operations of the federal government will be most extensive and important in times of war and danger; those of the State governments, in times of peace and security. As the former periods will probably bear a small proportion to the latter, the State governments will here enjoy another advantage over the federal government…If the new constitution be examined with accuracy and candor, it will be found that the change which it proposes consists much less in the addition of new powers to the Union than in the invigoration of its original powers.

• Hamilton, Federalist No. 28“… the general government will at all times stand ready to check the usurpations of the state governments, and these will have the same disposition towards the general government. The people… If their rights are invaded by either, they can make use of the other as the instrument of redress.

• John Marshal, McCulloch v. Maryland“This provision [ the elastic clause] is made in a constitution, intended to endure for ages to come, and consequently, to be adapted to the various crises of human affairs… Let the end be legitimate, let it be within the scope of the constitution , and all means which are appropriate, which are plainly adapted to that end, which are not prohibited, but consist with the letter and spirit of the constitution, are constitutional.”