Interactive Federalism Lab

Written By Jonathan Milner
Federalism Lab – Social Studies Lab
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Federalism Lab
AP Government & Politics
Roger
🏛️ Federalism Illustrated

Click through the slides to learn how power is divided in our federal system. Roger the Beagle is your guide!

Introduction
🐕🦖
Federalism:
Dividing the Power
The Framers of the Constitution had one big fear: tyranny. They needed a "Goldilocks government" — not too strong, not too weak. Federalism was their secret weapon.
Definition
🏛️
What Is Federalism?
Federalism is the division of power between a national (federal) government and sub-national (state and local) governments.

Think of it like a triple-layer cake 🎂 — national on top, states in the middle, and local governments at the base.
The Big Picture
⚖️
Three Types of Power

🦅 Federal Only
(Enumerated)

  • Declare war
  • Coin money
  • Foreign treaties
  • Regulate interstate trade
  • Maintain military
  • Naturalize citizens

🏘️ State Only
(Reserved)

  • Regulate education
  • Grant licenses
  • Police & fire protection
  • Marriage laws
  • Speed limits
  • Intrastate commerce

🤝 Both
(Concurrent)

  • Levy taxes
  • Enforce laws
  • Build roads
  • Borrow money
  • Establish courts
Federal Powers
🦅
Enumerated (Federal) Powers
These are powers explicitly listed in the Constitution — mostly in Article I, Section 8. Only the national government can exercise these.

The Necessary & Proper Clause also gives Congress "implied powers" — the ability to make laws needed to carry out its listed powers. This is sometimes called the elastic clause because it stretches!
🪖 Declare War 💵 Print Money ✈️ Regulate Airlines 🌍 Foreign Policy 📮 Post Office
State Powers
🏘️
Reserved Powers
(10th Amendment)
The 10th Amendment says any power not given to the federal government belongs to the states or the people.

States are like "laboratories of democracy" — they can experiment with different laws. That's why some states have very different rules about things like education, marijuana, and speed limits!
🏫 Education 🚗 Driver's License 👮 Police 💒 Marriage Laws 🌿 Some Drug Laws
Concurrent Powers
🤝
Concurrent Powers:
Shared By Both
Some powers are shared between federal and state governments. Both can tax you, both can build roads, and both can prosecute crimes.

When federal and state laws conflict, federal law wins — this is the Supremacy Clause (Article VI). The federal Constitution is the "supreme law of the land."
💰 Taxation 🛣️ Build Roads ⚖️ Courts 🔒 Criminal Law
Key Concept
👑
The Supremacy Clause
Article VI makes the Constitution the supreme law of the land. When a state law conflicts with federal law, federal law wins. Period.

BUT — states can have stricter laws than federal minimums (like environmental rules) as long as they don't contradict federal law.
Current Events
🌿⚖️🔫
Federalism in the News
Federalism isn't just history — it shapes today's debates:

🌿 Medical Marijuana: Federal law says it's illegal. Some states legalized it anyway. Federal law technically wins... but enforcement is complicated.

🔫 Gun Laws: Congress sets minimum rules; states can add restrictions.

🏥 Healthcare: ACA is federal; Medicaid expansion is state-by-state.

🏙️ Sanctuary Cities: Can states refuse to help enforce federal immigration law?
🐕 Roger Says
🐕🎓
You've Got This!
Federalism = dividing power to prevent tyranny.

✅ Federal/Enumerated: National government only
✅ Reserved: States and the people
✅ Concurrent: Both can do it
✅ Supremacy Clause: Federal law wins conflicts

Now test your knowledge → Try "Whose Power Is It?" 🎮
1 / 9
🎮 Whose Power Is It?
Federal (Enumerated)
State (Reserved)
Concurrent (Both)
Score: 0
🔥 Streak: 0
Question 1 / 20
⭐ Best: 0
SCENARIO
1/20
Loading...
🐕
A+
🗂️ Power Sort Challenge

Drag & Drop the Powers!

Drag each government power into the correct column. When you're done, click Check My Answers!

🦅 FEDERAL
🏘️ STATE
🤝 CONCURRENT

🃏 Key Terms Flashcards

Click a card to flip it and see the definition. Use the arrows to navigate.

TAP TO FLIP
Federalism
❓
DEFINITION
1 / 12
Roger says: keep studying! 📚
Jonathan Milner

Civics Maven!

https://www.gopopro.com/
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