State and Local Government

The impact of the Constitution on Americans' daily lives occurs through the concept of federalism. The local government interacts the most closely, but the state and federal governments also affect the things we are allowed to accomplish as a nation. This division of power between federal and state government is another example of the principle of separation of powers that the Founders felt was critical to the success of the new government when writing the Constitution. Although the definition of federalism has changed over time as the division of power ebbed and flowed between the federal and state governments, it is state and local governments that have the most impact in our daily lives.

In this section, students will study the relationship states have with the federal government. States' rights will be discussed as well as the organization and functioning of local and state governments.