Federalism Timeline (Vincent Cuccolo---American Politics & Government---Professor Rotunda)
By vcuccolo818
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McCulloch v. Maryland
This important case marked the beginning of the national government v. state government power struggle. The state of Maryland opposed competition of a national bank (as it wanted to regulate its own banks). The case was ultimately appealed to the Supreme Court, and tipped in McCulloch's favor: though the establishment of a national bank was never stated in the Constitution, and can be implied when necessary; thus begun the true reach/growth of a national government. -
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Federalism Timespan
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Gibbons v. Ogden
In this case, again, constitutional interpretation comes into question between national government v. state government (the commercial clause). Steam boat navigators, Aaron Ogden and Thomas Gibbons, operated between NYC and NJ; Ogden, licensed by Robert Fulton and Robert Livingston to do so, while Gibbons was licensed by the US. government. Fearing competition, Ogden sued Gibbons; case was appealed to the Supreme Court; they ruled that the national government could operate within the states. -
The Civil War
The question of slavery further divided national power v. state power. In 1860, South Carolina withdrew from the Union and six southern representatives in 1861 formed a new government: the Confederate States of America. The South was defeated in 1865 and thus ended any idea that a state could overpower or withdraw from the Union. Also in 1865, the 13th Amendment abolished slavery. -
Duel Federalism Introduced
Decades after the Civil War and ending in the 1930's, "duel federalism" was typically practiced: "a system in which the states and national government each remains supreme within its own sphere" (Schmidt, 88). This was commonly illustrated as a layer cake, in which the state and national government are separate from one another. -
The Great Depression & Decline of Duel Federalism
During the Great Depression, Duel Federalism began to decline; the American economy suffered tremendously, with over 4,000 businesses failing. Outraged, the states expected the national government to step in and do something during the crisis, but in actuality, the government did little to help, as the national government stated that it is up to the states alone for fighting unemployment and assisting the poor (Schmidt, 89). -
The New Deal & Start of Cooperative Federalism
President (1933-1945) did not believe in duel federalism and stepped in to help the American people during The Great Depression by creating the "New Deal." This included large-scale emergency antipoverty programs and resulted in the National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933 and the National Recovery Administration. Though Roosevelt was challenged by the Supreme Court for expanding national authority, he did not falter and a new system would soon be introduced: Cooperative Federalism. -
Cooperative Federalism---The New Model
Since 1937, the era of cooperative federalism begun: "the theory that the states and national government should cooperate in solving problems" (Schmidt, 90). Unlike a layer cake, cooperative federalism was viewed as a marble cake---with the state and national governments intermingling with one another rather than being separate. In practice, cooperative federalism means that the federal government provides funding/set terms for a policy solution, but implementation of it is left to the states. -
Problems With Federalism---Hurricane Katrina
Though federalism is designed to provide balance between state & national government, Hurricane Katrina is an example that federalism does not always work. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated and killed thousands. The American people felt that the national government's response was inadequate and that even local governments were underprepared for the disaster as well, as they failed to make proper provisions for evacuating citizens most vulnerable to the storm's reach.
