From 1789 to 1865, the most significant issue of federalism was

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Contextual frame: The period from 1789 to 1865 centers on how power is shared between the states and the national government, culminating in debates over federal supremacy during crises like the Civil War. Now, let's evaluate each option in turn. 
Option 1: 'the application of the Bill of Rights to action by the state governments.' While the incorporation of rights against states becomes a major theme later (notably after the Fourteenth Amendment), this was not the defining federalism question of the early to mid-19th century. The central issue concerned federal authority rather than whether state actions were bound by the Bill of Rights. 
Option 2: 'whether business trusts would be regulated primarily by the states or by the national government.' Regulation of trusts and antitrust concerns rise to prominence in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era (late 19th to early 20th centuries), not the core federalism conflict of 1789–1865, which makes this anachronistic for the period in question. 
Option 3: 'laissez-faire capitalism.' While debates about economic policy and poverty of regulation touch on federalism, laissez-faire as a blanket label does not pinpoint the defining federalism issue between states and national authority during this era. The more precise question was about who holds constitutional authority, not a general economic philosophy. 
Option 4: 'whether the states would respect the sovereignty of neighboring states.' Interstate sovereignty and interactions are part of federalism discussions, but the most consequential dispute in this timeframe was not about neighboring-state sovereignty per se; it was about the ultimate authority of the national government over the states, especially in moments of national crisis. 
Option 5: 'whether the states would accept the lawful authority of the national government.' This directly targets the core federalism tension: the legitimacy and reach of national law over state actions, which became especially pronounced as the Union faced secession and civil conflict, and then as a test of constitutional supremacy. It captures the central issue that shaped national-versus-state power throughout the period. 
In summary, Option 5 identifies the pivotal federalism question of the era—whether states would acknowledge and operate under the legitimate authority of the national government—while the other options describe important topics that either belong to later periods or do not pinpoint the defining constitutional struggle of 1789–1865.

6253-15568-GOVT-2305 Chapter 3: Federalism

From 1789 to 1865, the most significant issue of federalism was

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

The debates between Federalists and Antifederalists were primarily about which one of the following issues?

Which of the following constitutional principles best explains why there is variation among states on the use of capital punishment?

Unlike the Articles of Confederation the Constitution does which of the following?

The debates between Federalists and Antifederalists were primarily about which one of the following issues?

Unlike the Articles of Confederation the Constitution does which of the following?

Anti-Federalists would be most likely to support which of the following?

Which of the following statements of federation is correct:

According to the Anti-Federalists, too strong of a national government meant

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler