State Government
State governments have their
own constitutions, similar to that of the national Constitution; however,
the laws made in individual states cannot conflict with the national
Constitution. Each state's constitution differs from one another. This
is because each state has its unique history, needs, philosophy, and
geography.
During the first 100 years of United
States history, the states did most of the governing that directly affected
the people. The national government mainly concentrated on foreign affairs.
This is known as "dual
federalism," where each level of government controlled its
own sphere. However, during this time a rift began to form between the
two over the issue of who had sovereignty
that would culminate in the Civil War.
This issue was clarified following
the Civil War. After the war, a series of constitutional amendments
were passed that spelled out the federal government's control over social
and economic policy and protection of the civil rights of citizens.
The Civil War Amendments
-
Thirteenth Amendment:
"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment
for crime . . . shall exist within the United States."
-
Fourteenth Amendment:
"All persons born or naturalized in the United States . . .
are citizens of the United States . . . No State shall make or enforce
any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens
of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of
life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny
to any person within its justification the equal protection of the
laws."
-
Fifteenth Amendment:
"The rights of citizens of the United States to vote shall
not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on
account of race, color, or previous condiction of servitude."
Since 1860, dual federalism continued,
but the power of the federal government began to strengthen. The Great
Depression in the 1930s brought the end of dual federalism. States were
unable to cope with the economic upheaval. Instead, President Roosevelt's
"New Deal" brought about a system of "cooperative federalism".
Instead of assigning specific functions to each level of goverrnment,
Roosevelt encouraged the national, state, and local governments to work
together on specific programs.
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