Federalism: Push & Pull Timeline

  • Articles of Confederation

    The Articles of Confederation is the first government established to the United States. It had a weak national government.
  • Constitutional Convention

    The Constitutional Convention was created to fix the Articles of Confederation. This lead to the creation of a new stronger national government.
  • 10th Amendment

    The 10th Amendment is the last added to the Bill of Rights. This Amendment reserves rights to the state, this strengthens the the power of the states.
  • McCulloch V. Maryland

    This court case was about the authority of the national government and the States. Maryland felt that if the national government should not establish a bank and if they do then the state of Maryland has the right to tax it. This court case limits the authority of the national government
  • Gibbons V. Ogden

    This court case was fought over interstate commerce; the supreme court granted congress this right . By this ruling, it gave national government more power.
  • Dred Scott V. Sandford

    The Dred Scott V. Sandford case was fought by an African American man. The Supreme Court ruled that because he was not a citizen of the United States he could not sue.This gave States the right to determine if they were a citizen or not.
  • The Civil War

    The Civil War is fought over the states rights to have slaves. The south (favored states rights) lost the war leading to a stronger national government.
  • 14th Amendment

    The 14 Amendment denies states the authority to pass laws that interferes with individuals rights for ex slaves. This decreases the power that states once had over slaves.
  • Commerce Clause (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3)

    The Commerce Clause gave Congress the power to control interstate commerce. This cause major controversy because it gave national government more power when the states thought it should have been one of their delegated rights.
  • Plessy V. Ferguson

    The Plessy V. Ferguson case determined created the theme "separate but equal". This allowed states to have separate facilities for blacks and whites. This court case allowed states the power to jump through hoops to keep from segregating.
  • 16th Amendment

    The 16th Amendment allows the National Government the right to impose Income Tax. Passing this Amendment strengthened the National Gov. as this became a major source of revenue.
  • Gitlow V. New York

    The Gitlow V. New York case incorporates federal law into states law. Gitlow wins the case because the state of New York violates his First Amendment right.
  • The New Deal

    The New Deal was created as a resolution to the Great Depression. It got people back to work in jobs that helped the states. However, because they were created by the national government they had control over the states.
  • Brown V. Board of Education

    Brown V. Board of Education declares schools that are segregated unconstitutional. This case limits states powers.
  • Civil Rights Act of 1864

    The Civil Rights Act of 1864 outlawed discrimination based off of color, race, origin, or religion. This a law passed by the national government to limit states.
  • Social Security Act of 1965

    The Social Security Act of 1965 created two programs as a form of health care. These programs were government based and the states have to follow certain rules to keep the program running.
  • Election of Ronald Reagan

    The election of Ronald Reagan supported the idea of devolution. Reagan completely was against the national government and felt that it was the problem.
  • Americans with Disabilities Act

    The Americans with Disabilities Act was created as another form to nondiscriminatory act against the states. This allows people with a disability to be able to live a normal life in the working field.
  • Planned Parenthood V. Casey

    Planned Parenthood V. Casey declared that states cannot create obstacles to prevent women from seeking an abortion. This court limits states rights.
  • United States V. Lopez

    The United States V. Lopez case stretches the commerce clause. Due to the fact that guns are not commerce the supreme court rules in favor of Lopez. This leads the the increase in state power.
  • 104th Congress

    The 104th Congress is the idea of the devolution. This empowers the states.
  • Printz V. United States

    Printz V. United States is about the violation of the 10th amendment because of the Brady Act. The case enforces that Congress cannot force federal regulatory programs.
  • September 11th, 2001

    On September 11th, 2001, the United States was attacked in a series of events due to terrorism. Due to this event more power was given to the national government to keep people safe.
  • Development of the Department of Homeland Security

    The Department of Homeland Security was developed after the events of terrorism on 9/11. This program provides national government with preparations to handle such events.
  • Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare)

    The Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) is the biggest form of government health insurance since the Social Security Act. It is another way the national government steps in.