Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter, you will be able to:

3.1 Explain the tension in American federalism between state and federal laws

3.2 Identify the elements of the United States Constitution that shape American federalism and evaluate arguments about the proper limits of congressional power under their authority

3.3 Trace the development of American federalism over time

3.4 Describe the impact of economic crisis in the changes to American federalism during the New Deal era

3.5 List changes to American federalism in the post–New Deal era

3.6 Discuss the current status of American federalism and how it might continue to evolve