Project: U.S. Government Relationships
Select one of the following options and write a 1,000-word essay. Incorporate the precise terminology for your topic, and make sure you check punctuation and spelling before submitting your work.
Option 1.
Conflicts over the respective roles of national and state governments have been around since America’s beginning. The Civil War was fought over questions of states’ rights: Can a state create a law that allows for slavery? Does a state have the right to secede from the Union?
Even today people disagree on how much power the federal government should have; some would like the states to have more power. An area where this debate has made the news in recent years includes:
Illegal Immigration – Is protecting America’s border with Mexico mainly a federal or a state issue? What laws – state or federal – have been broken when a person enters the U.S. illegally? What should a state do if the current federal methods aren’t working? Does a state governor have the authority to enforce federal laws against illegal immigration? Can a state use its laws against trespassing as a means to arrest illegal aliens?
Analyze the historical conflict including the limits on national and state government, and draw conclusions as to whether you agree with decisions that were made. Identify the pros and cons of limiting state powers and give your opinion on how much power the states should have as compared with the federal government.
Option 2.
Using the Supreme Court decision McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) and other sources, analyze the sharing of powers within the federal government. In your report, place your emphasis on defining and explaining the following:
federalism
expressed powers
implied powers
inherent powers
concurrent powers
How do the different branches of our government use these powers to pass laws and establish regulations? Are these powers abused or used properly by our government officials? Why or why not?
Also include in your essay a section on the sovereignty of tribal governments, such as the Native Americans of New Mexico and Arizona. Can the federal government intervene in the affairs of Native Americans on reservations? If so, when and to what extent?
Option 3.
Research America’s open door policy with China beginning in 1899. Explain how relations with the United States and China have changed and the effects of the open door policy on both countries.
