Federalism Round Up

In your blog:  Pick two areas from each of the three sections in Chapter 4.  Write a paragraph on those areas and what you have learned in regards to each area.  You should have six total paragraphs.

In Section 1 it talks about why our country uses federalism.  The framer's of the Consitution were the ones who decided on this type of government.  They knew they didn't want a strong central government, and they also knew that the Revolution had been fought for a self-government.  Another thing they took into consideration was that the Articles of Confederation had made the government too weak.  They realized that they needed a division of powers to have the best government and so today we have federalism.

Also in Section 1 it discusses the powers of the National Government.  There are expressed powers like the power to lay and collect taxes, to coin money, to regulate foreign and interstate commerce, and to declare waar.  There are implied powers which aren't stated but are suggested or implied by the expressed powers.  Some implied powers are that it made federal crimes of moving stolen goods, gambliing devices, and kidnapped persons across State lines.  Another is inherent powers like the power to regulate immigration, to deport undocumented aliens, and to acquire territory.

Section 2 talks about the Nation's obligations to the States.  It is required by the Constitution to guarantee every State a Republican Form of Government.  Another thing the Constitution says is that the National Government must protect each state against invasion, but this isn't much use today because an attack on any State would be seen as an attack on the US.  And lastly the National Government is to respect the territorial integrity of each of the States.

Also in Section 2 it tells how new states are admitted.  Only congress has the power to let new States into the Union.  The admission process is quite short and easy.  Sometimes before being admitted a State must agree to certain conditions, but the conditions can not be political.  Also the State enters the Union equal to the rest of the States.

Section 3 talks about extradition.  If a fugitive charged in a crime flees from Justice and is found in another State they are brought back the the State in which they were charged.  This is the process of extradition and it tries to prevent people from escaping justice.  Governor's could refuse to return a fugitive until the 1980's.

In Section 3 it also discusses privileges and immunities.  Each State has to recognize that people can travel in or become a resident of that State, and they also can buy, own, rent, or sell property; or marry within its borders.  The State can require people to live in that State for a certain amount of time before they can vote or hold public office, or before they can be licensed to practice law, medicine, or other professions.  And they can also require non-residents to pay higher amounts for hunting or fishing licenses, and higher tuition rates for out-of-state students attending a college.