Federalism and Centralization

Federalism and Centralization

When the original thirteen colonies declared their independence and ratified the Articles of Confederation , they established a league of independent states . In this system instead of mutual cooperation the states were made to compete in the economic and political areas . They repealed the Articles of Confederation and in its place promulgated and ratified a new Constitution , providing for a Federal type of government The question of states ' sovereignty and federal supremacy ended in the Civil War . 1789-1901 was marked with little cooperation with between the national and local

governments , while in 1901-1960 there was collaboration between the two to address the social and economic problems of the times . It was during this time that the national income tax and grant-in aid were adopted

The Federalists among the Founding Fathers like Alexander Hamilton believed it was necessary to have a central government to ensure the political , economic , political and military gains and independence of the union . There must be a strong central government to unite the efforts in addressing problems of major national impact and concerns like economic , foreign affairs and national security

The clause in the US Constitution that best defines Federalism is Article I , Section 8 which provides : The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes , Duties , Imposts and Excises , to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States but all Duties , Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States

The major influences that...