Skip to Main Content

Lesson

State and Local Government

Guiding question

What is a federal republic and what are the advantages of this form of government?

Duration
90 min
Grade
9–12
Published
Nov 5, 2020
Inside view of a legislative assembly, with officials seated and engaged in a session.
From the Founding generation to the present day, controversy continues regarding the proper division of power between state and national government. What the Founders did not find debatable was the wisdom of dividing power both among and within governments. In short, they considered the federal system to be a critical part of the American constitutional order.

Founding Principles

Federalism

Guiding Questions

  • What is a federal republic and what are the advantages of this form of government?
  • Why is a pure democracy potentially dangerous to the rights of the minority?
  • What is nullification, what were its results, and what are its implications for modern times?

Objectives

  • Students will explain why the Founders selected a federal republic as the best form of government.
  • Students will analyze causes and effects of the Nullification Crisis.

Materials

Educator Resources

Student Handouts

Students will need blue, yellow, and green highlighters or map colors for Activity 2, Federalist No. 39.

Lesson Components

ActivityHandout A: What Is a Federal Republic?
ActivityHandout B: Patrick Henry at the Virginia Ratifying Convention
ActivityPrimary Source: James Madison and Federalism – Excerpts from Federalist No. 39
ActivityPrimary Source: Federalist No. 26
ActivityPrimary Source: South Carolina Ordinance
ActivityPrimary Source: President Jackson’s Proclamation
EssayEssay: State and Local Government

From the Founding generation to the present day, controversy continues regarding the proper division of power between state and national government. What the Founders did not find debatable was the wisdom of dividing power both among and within governments. In short, they considered the federal system to be a critical part of the American constitutional order.

Sign in as an educator to view teacher materialsSign in →

Lesson plan

90 minClick a phase to open it

Key Terms

Federalism
Articles of Confederation
Electoral College
Framers
James Madison

Standards

Check whether this resource aligns with your state’s standards →

Related materials

Portrait of Robert Hayne.
EssayThe Nullification Crisis

Explores the nullification crisis and its resolution.

A promotional image for BRI's Homework Help series on Federalism, featuring dynamic background artwork.
VideoFederalism | BRI’s Homework Help

This Homework Help narrative explores the history of the Founding of the U.S. and the reasons why federalism was created as an important part of our constitutional system. The video challenges viewers to consider this question: why we have a system with local, state, and federal laws?