Federalism
Federalism has evolved many times from the birth of the Constitution to now. Federalism has changed many times due to legal battles between the states and the federal government, with the outcome of the battle usually favoring the federal government.
State-centered federalism was the main principle of federalism from 1787 to 1868. This type of federalism had the states as the most important unit in the American federal system. The states were the main deciding factor on policies and providing most public services. The states also decided the issue of slavery within their own borders. After the Civil-War though the nation entered into what is called dual federalism.
After the Civil-War the national government showed that it reigned supreme over the states. The national government however still loosely interpreted its new powers and had the states accountable for most domestic issues. This became known as duel federalism, which lasted from 1868-1913. The national government concerned itself with issues of national defense, foreign affairs, tariffs, interstate commerce, coinage of money, standard weights and measures, and the admission of new states. The states had the regulation and powers to decide education, welfare, health, and criminal justice issues.
During the years of 1913 and 1964 America was changed by the Industrial Revolution and the national and state responsibilities became more distinct, this was known as cooperative federalism. The Great Depression also had a major impact upon the nation, and states welcomed federal public projects under the New Deal program created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The federal and state governments started to share responsibilities for welfare, health, highways, education, and criminal justice. The federal government realized that it had no say in these issues with the states, but it used its powers to tax...
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