The Foundations of Federalism in the Constitution

The video discusses federalism, the division of power between the national government and the states, as a concept demanded by the states during the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. It highlights the historical context, concerns about national power, and the compromise that led to a federal constitution. The constitution balances national responsibilities with the preservation of state independence and local concerns, ensuring limited delegated powers to the national government while retaining numerous powers for the states.

What is federalism primarily concerned with?

• The division of power between the national government and the states

• The creation of a single, powerful national government

• The independence of local governments

• The establishment of a monarchy

Why was federalism demanded by the states during the ratification of the original constitution?

• To abolish state governments

• To create a new monarchy

• To maintain the independent existence of the people in the states

• To ensure the national government had unlimited power

What was a major concern with the drafting of the new constitution?

• That it would create a weak national government

• That it would erase the independent cultures of the states

• That it would not be ratified

• That it would lead to a monarchy

What did the colonies declare in the Declaration of Independence?

• That they were free and independent states

• That they were a single nation

• That they wanted to abolish state governments

• That they wanted a strong national government

What was the pressure in the other direction during the drafting of the constitution?

• To create a monarchy

• To establish a single national culture

• To recognize a newly emergent American people

• To abolish the national government

What did the federal constitution ultimately maintain?

• Neither the idea of a national government nor state independence

• Both the idea of a national government and state independence

• Only the independence of the states

• Only the idea of a national government

According to Madison, what was the nature of the constitution?

• A monarchy

• Neither wholly national nor wholly federal

• Wholly federal

• Wholly national

What were some of the responsibilities of the new national government?

• To abolish state governments

• To protect the country and the individual states

• To oversee local regulations

• To create a monarchy

What did the federal constitution preserve?

• The idea of a single national culture

• The power of the national government

• The independence of the states

• The abolition of state governments

What was the nature of the powers delegated to the national government?

• Non-existent

• Unlimited

• Few and defined

• Numerous and indefinite