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Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the first system of government adopted by the United States. Because of the worry that the federal government would become too strong, it delegated most, if not all, of the power to the states. -
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention seeked to repair the Article of Confederation. In doing so, the delegates ended up creating a stronger federal government to balance out the heavier powers of the states. -
Necessary and Proper Clause
The Necessary and Proper Clause is a part of Article I of the constittution. This clause gives power to the federal government, allowing it to extend it's powers in certain circumstances to protect the nation. -
10th Amendment
The 10th Amendment states "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people". This grants more power to the states. -
McCulloch vs. Maryland
This case was a landmark decison by the Supreme Court giving power to the federal goverment. This case ruled that the state could not interfere with the actions of the federal government. -
Gibbons vs. Ogden
Gibbons vs. Ogden established that federal government controls interstate commerce, which encompasses navigation. This gives power to the federal governement, establishing the federal governments conrtol over the states commerce. -
Dred Scott vs. Sanford
In this Supreme Court ruling slavery was considered constituional. Dred Scott ould not sue for his freedom and at this point the need for the acceptance of slavery was solidified. This increased state power by giving the states the power to control slavery and decide whether they were a slave or free state. -
The Civil War
The Civil War split the United States in two, but it's aftermath had a more unifying effect. With the secession of half of the states the federal government had to crack down after the war, resulting in an increase in federal power. -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment states " All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens...". This goes on to say that the State cannont overrule the federal governments decision; therefore, it gives more power to the federal government. -
Plessy vs. Ferguson
Plessy vs. Ferguson gave power to the states. It upheld their right to determine "separate but equal" facilities for racial segregation. By upholding this belief it gave them the power to make their own choices. -
Pure Food and Drug Act
The Pure Food and Drug Administration calls for proper labeling for food. It also calls for food to be checked to make sure that it is safe to eat. This power is given to the federal government as it is their responsibilty to make sure that the nation, as a whole, not just individual states have proper food and nutrition. -
16th Amendment
The 16th Amendment states "The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration". This shifts the power to the federal government, allowing them to collect income tax without regarding the states. -
Gitlow vs. New York
Gitlow vs. New York gives power to the federal governement. The federal government used selective incorporation to limit the states lawmaking body. By limiting the lawmaking body the federal government is showing its authority over the states. -
The New Deal
The New Deal was a proposition meant to get the economy out of the depression. It created jobs and gave funding to people and businesses in need to pump money into the economy. It is an example of the shift of power to the federal government in which the federal government gains control to regulate the economy. -
Brown vs. Board of Eduaction
The decison overturned Plessy vs. Ferguson and decided that "seperate but equal" was not okay. This delegated more power to the federal government by overturning a decision that uphelp states rights. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It is an example of the shift to federal power in the way that it overpowers the states decision. At this time segreagtion was big, but the federal government went above the states to pass it. -
Roe vs. Wade
Roe vs Wade sparked the hot debate of abortion. This court case gave power to the states. States are able to regulate the abortions and determine if the safetly of the mother and the protection of human life were being addressed. -
Election of Ronald Reagan
The Election of Ronalad Reagan increased state power. Reagan was a firm believer that the states made up the federal government, not the other way around. -
State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act
The State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act grants money to the state and local governments. By granting them money and gettting them on thier feet they are delegating more power to them during this time period of devolution. -
Americans with Disablilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination in the work place regarding people with disablilites. It shows that the federal government had more power by making a law that controled the actions of all the states. -
104th Congress
The federal government gave out grants which gave the states more power to control what was going on in their secluded areas. The process of devolution was trying to slowly grant the states more power. -
United States vs. Lopez
This case gives power to the states. In limiting the federal governments power, in regards to interstate commerce, it is able to give power to the states. -
Printz vs. United States
Printz vs. Untied States declares the idea of strict gun control unconstitutional. This increases federal power in which they are able to overrule the states decison. -
9/11
On September 11, 2001 terrorists came in and attacked our nation. This led to a tightening of the reigns and the creation of new departments. The US Patriot Act was passed to grant the federal government more power. -
No Child Left Behind
The No Child Left Behind act gives states the job of making sure that students progress can be measured. This is an increase in state power because the states are responsible for creating the tests and the standards in which the schools are to meet.
