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Lesson 17: How Did the Constitution Create a Federal System of Government?
Lesson Purpose
The Constitution organized government in a new way. It created a federal system of government. The Constitution gives certain powers only to the national government and certain powers only to the state governments. There are also certain powers that they share. All other powers are kept by the people.
Lesson Objectives
When you finish this lesson, you should be able to explain what a federal system is, explain how a federal system differs from other forms of government, and explain what powers the Constitution gives to the federal government and what powers it gives to the state governments.
Lesson Terms
confederation
A form of political organization in which the sovereign states combine for certain specified purposes such as defense. Member states can leave a confederation at any time. The United States was a confederation from 1776 to 1789.
federal system or federalism
sovereign
supremacy clause
unitary government
