Federalism

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/federalism

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the intergovernmental relations?Characterized by cooperation, negotiation, grants-in-aid, and judicial review to manage shared powers
2. Why do states have their own power in federalism?States keep power so they can solve local problems and make rules that fit their people, while the national government handles big issues that affect everyone.
3. How did the United States create federalism?The U.S. Constitution, written in 1787, set up federalism to make a stronger union than the old Articles of Confederation, giving both the national government and the states clear powers.

Unitary System: A system where the central government holds all ultimate authority, with subnational units having delegated powers.
Confederation: A system where independent states delegate limited powers to a central body, retaining significant autonomy.
Grants-in-Aid: Financial assistance provided by the national government to state and local governments for specific programs.