Lesson 17: How Did the Constitution Create a Federal System of Government?

Terms

confederation  A form of political organization in which the sovereign states combine for certain specified purposes such as defense. Member states can leave a confederation at any time. The United States was a confederation from 1776 to 1789.

federal system or federalism  A form of government in which power is divided and shared between a central government and state and local governments.

sovereign  A person or group having the highest authority or power in a country or state.

supremacy clause  Article VI, Section 2 of the Constitution, which states that the Constitution, laws passed by Congress, and treaties of the United States "shall be the supreme Law of the Land" and binding on the states.

unitary government  A centralized form of government in which states or local governments exercise only those powers delegated to them by the central or national government.