American Government: 4.

2 Relations Among the States4

DRILL: Implied Powers & Supremacy Clause
Implied Powers: power of Congress that are not explicit or written in the Constitution
Supremacy Clause: the powers & laws of Congress are above state constitutions & laws.
LESSON OBJECTIVE
Students will be able to explain how the Constitution regulates interstate relations by
reading and researching excerpts from todays lesson.
I. Interstate Relations
A. The Constitution requires each state to recognize the laws and legal
proceedings of all other states in civil, not criminal, matters.
B. Each state must treat citizens of other states equally with its own citizens and
not discriminate against them
C. Nonresidents or aliens may not enjoy all the rights of state citizens.
D. Criminals fleeing to other states must be returned to their home state by
extradition
E. Extradition the legal process through which one state or government
surrenders an accused criminal to another government.
II. When States Disagree
A. States use interstate compacts, or agreements among themselves, to settle
border or jurisdiction agreements and to deal with common problems, such
as toxic waste disposal
B. Lawsuits brought by a state against another state are tried in the Supreme
Court.
Odds & Ends
I. Extradite means to return criminals
Criminals fleeing to another state to escape justice will be extradited
II. Article IV of the Constitution deals with the concept of full and faith credit
III. Civil laws passed by state legislatures are considered public acts
IV. Privileges and immunities clause of the Constitution prohibits discrimination
against non-state persons
V. Interstate compacts are agreements between states
A. a mechanism for settling boundary disputes
B. an important way for states to deal with regional problems
VI. Laws relating to disputes between individuals, groups, or with the states are
called civil laws.
VII. The only court in which one state may sue another is the Supreme Court

American Government: 4.2 Relations Among the States4

Review
1. B
2. D
3. A
4. E
5. C

6. B
7. A
8. D
9. A
10. B

11. States must honor the civil laws of other states in order for the federal system to
work.
12. Interstate laws, compact laws, civil laws, criminal laws, enabling act, & or
extradition laws
Political Cartoon
1. The title of the cartoon is Deadbeat Dads.
2. The conflict is demonstrated by symbolizing the city as a poor, homeless family,
while representing the federal government as an expensive, shiny limousine. The two
are clearly separated and unequal.
3. The limousine represents the wealth of the federal government.
4. The federal government is depicted as disregarding the plight of the cities, as the
limousine glides smoothly through the ravaged streets, the president insincerely
waving goodbye.
5. The condition of the cities is illustrated through the smashed store front, the litter
filled streets, the ominous lightning, and the hopeless-looking family huddled on the
corner.
6. Deadbeat dads is a term used to describe fathers who refuse to pay child support.
7. By comparing the federal government to these fathers, the cartoonist is saying that
the federal government takes no responsibility for its children, the cities of the nation.
8. The current social issue represented by the mother and children is the family and
how societys views on family have changed. Federalism, when the government tries
to define marriage; for example gay marriage.
9. The limousines passenger prefers not to make visual contact with the mother
because he knows he is wrong.
Summary: In todays lesson, we researched information to explain how the
Constitution regulates interstate relations.
Homework: Extradite & Interstate Compacts
Extradite: to return runaway criminals for trial.

Interstate Compacts: agreement or contract between states

Name ____________________________________________Class ___________
Date______________

American Government

4. 2 Relations Among the StatesSECTION 4

Match each item in Column A with the items in Column B. Write the correct letters in the
blanks.
_____1. return criminals
A. public acts
_____2. full and faith credit
B. extradite
_____3. civil laws passed by state legislatures C. interstate compacts
_____4. privileges and immunities clause
D. Article IV
_____5. between states
E. prohibits discrimination against non-state
persons
In the blank at the left, write the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or
answers the question.
_____6. Laws relating to disputes between individuals, groups, or with the states are called
A. interstate laws.
C. compact laws.
B. civil laws.
D. criminal laws.
_____7. This is an important way for states to deal with regional problems.
A. interstate compacts
C. civil laws
B. enabling act
D. extradition laws
_____8. Criminals fleeing to another state to escape justice will be subject to
A. the enabling act.
C. civil lawsuits.
B. interstate compacts.
D. extradition.
_____9. This procedure provides a mechanism for settling boundary disputes.
A. interstate compact
C. enabling act
B. extradition
D. civil lawsuit
_____10. This is the only court in which one state may sue another.
A. state court
C. federal court
B. Supreme Court
D. non-participating state court

11. Why does the Constitution require that each state give full faith and credit to the public acts,
records, and judicial proceedings of every other state?

12. Name one political concept from todays lesson.

Identify: Extradition & Jurisdiction
4.2 Interpreting Political Cartoons The Federal System
In designing the Constitution, the Framers devoted great thought to the division of power between
the federal government and the states. They created a system of division, called federalism, to promote the
balance of power. Under federalism, they assigned responsibility for and control over social welfare
programs, education, and personal freedoms. Historically, the division of power and duty has been
unclear; federal, state, and local governments have each tried to shift their responsibilities to another level
of government.

Federalism is an intrinsic part of our government system, mirroring the spirit of self-determination
of the Constitution. The federal and state governments do depend upon each other, however, and must
work together to meet the needs of their citizens. The powers of the state versus the powers of the nation
will invariably continue to be a source of conflict.
4.2 Interpreting Political Cartoons The Federal System
The cartoon on this page gives one view of the federal system. Study the cartoon and answer the
questions that follow:

Analyzing the Cartoon

1. What is the title of the cartoon?
2. How does the cartoon demonstrate the conflict between the federal and local governments?
3. What does the limousine symbolize in the cartoon?
4. In the cartoon what attitude is displayed by the federal government toward the local government?
5. How does the cartoonist portray the troubled conditions of the cities?
6. Why is the caption for the cartoon Deadbeat Dad?
7. Why do you think the cartoonist chose to include a single mother surrounded by unhappy children in
the cartoon?
8. What current social issue do the mother and children represent, and how is it related to the concept of
federalism?

9. The tinted windows of limousines prevents outsiders from seeing in. Why do you think the limousines
passenger would prefer not to make visual contact with the mother on the street?
ACTIVITY 4
In your own words, summarize todays lesson.