The Founding Fathers thought that the Articles of Confederation left the nation too weak. They decided to develop a new system of government. The Constitution, which replaced the Articles of Confederation, made a stronger Federal Government. It gave power to both the Federal Government and the state governments. This system is called federalism.

Federal Government power to:

• Make money
• Declare war
• Manage foreign relations
• Oversee trade between states and with other countries

State Governments to do the following:

• Ratify amendments
• Manage public health and safety
• Oversee trade in the state

In addition, the Federal Government and State Governments share these powers:

• Making and enforcing laws
• Making taxes
• Borrowing money

Source: Federal Versus State Government
Government Publishing Office (GPO), Public Domain