Guiding Questions

• What role do the courts play in checking and balancing other branches?
• Why did the Framers divide power between state and national government?

Objectives

• I can identify the courts’ role in limiting the power of the other branches.
• I can describe why the Framers divided power between state and national governments.

Directions: Answer the questions, then ask any questions you have or share your thoughts.

Question	Answer	Questions or Thoughts
How are the powers of the states framed in the Tenth Amendment?
What constitutional limitations on state powers exist?
Why might state and local governments be more responsive to people’s needs?
Why did the Federalist Papers call the judicial branch the least dangerous?
What different roles can people play within the judicial court system?
Describe the case at the state level in Arizona. What constitutional principles or issues are involved?
Describe the case involving the Commerce Clause at the federal level. What constitutional principles or issues are involved?

 

After watching the complete video, answer the following question.

• In your own words, how can checks and balances support federalism?