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Federal Government Facts & Worksheets

A federal system of government is one that divides the powers of government between the national (federal) government, and state and local government.

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A federal government has a central government and several semi-autonomous states or provinces that operate inside the central authority. The federal government has more power than the state or provincial governments in most federal governments, including the United States. Federal governments are typically found in geographically diversified nations, and Germany and Australia are two more countries with federal governments. A highly centralized government is the polar opposite of a federal government. Regional and local governments have little or no autonomy from the national government in these types of governments. France is an example of a government that is highly centralized.

See the fact file below for more information on the Federal Government or alternatively, you can download our 29-page Federal Government worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Federal Government Definition

  • Do you enjoy Hollywood cop movies? If you are, you may be aware that jurisdiction friction is a recurring narrative thread in these films or when some form of conflict arises between local police (usually the hero) and federal investigators (usually the antagonist) about who has the authority of an investigation.
  • Consider the film Rush Hour, for example. In this film, an LAPD officer (Chris Tucker) attempts to assist a fellow Chinese cop (Jackie Chan) in his search for the kidnapped daughter of the Chinese Ambassador to America. While they confront several roadblocks, one of the most significant is the FBI, which orders Tucker and Chan to halt their inquiry since it is beyond local authority.
  • This famous movie narrative line illustrates the essence of the federal government. A federal government is a power-sharing system between a central national government and local state governments linked by the national government.
  • The national government controls certain aspects of public life, while local governments regulate others. As a result, cop movies build drama by having the federal and provincial governments clash over who should investigate the crime at hand.
  • Federal government systems often feature a constitution stipulating which sectors of public life the national government will oversee and which areas will be controlled by state governments.

Federal Government Principles

  • A federal government is distinguished because it comprises numerous states or provinces, all subservient to the central authority. The ideas that describe how a federal government runs are usually contained in the constitution of that government.
  • Not all federal governments function in the same manner. In Switzerland, for example, individual cantons or member states may use distinct languages, but other nations have formed a national language that must speak across the federation.

United States Federal Government

  • The United States federal government is the country’s national government, headquartered in Washington, DC, the capital city of the United States. Its government is divided into the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches.
  • The Founding Fathers established the federal government of the United States. The federal government was first run by the wording of the Articles of Confederation; nevertheless, it quickly demonstrated this constitution to be ineffectual. The Founding Fathers eventually came together to form a more powerful federal government, and they drafted and ratified the Constitution in 1788. This text has served as the foundation of the United States federal government for nearly two centuries.

The Roles of the Federal Governments

  • Although the Supremacy Clause declares the constitution, federal laws, and treaties as the “supreme rule of the nation,” the Supreme Court has determined that the body established a federal government with restricted powers. The United States has a federal system founded on the constitution, which means that authority is split between a national (federal) government and a local (state) government. According to the Supreme Court, every law made by Congress should be based on one or more powers enumerated in the Constitution.
  • These limited powers are described as “enumerated powers” of Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution. The authority to collect taxes, control trade, establish a standard naturalization law, establish federal courts (subordinate to the Supreme Court), build and maintain a military, and declare war are only a few of the enumerated powers.
  • The Supreme Court has also used the Necessary and Proper Clause to identify “implied powers,” or those required to exercise the constitutionally specified powers. Judge John Marshall established the idea of implied powers in McCulloch v. Maryland, holding that a government given broad powers must also have the authority to use those powers.
  • The 10th amendment, which asserts that the powers not assigned to the United States primarily by the constitution, nor prohibited to the states by it, are reserved to the various states or the people, limits the federal government’s capacity to act wisely under the constitution.
  • “The powers given to the various States will extend to all the purposes which, in the ordinary course of business, affect the lives, liberty, and properties of the people, as well as the internal order, growth, and prosperity of the State,” James Madison wrote.

Division of Power

  • The three branches of the federal government in the US have a separation of powers, implying that the executive, legislative, and judicial branches have their tasks and obligations.
  • The President of the US leads the executive branch, and several cabinet secretaries sit beneath him, including the attorney general and the secretary of state. The executive branch implements federal laws and operates the military and other activities linked to the country’s government.
  • The legislative branch, comprised of Congress, creates federal government legislation and controls government supervision. The US Congress consists of two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives.
  • The federal courts comprise the judicial branch of government, and the Supreme Court is the highest federal court. The Supreme Court is charged with various duties, the most significant of which is interpreting the Constitution.
  • Each branch is given some authority to check and balance the others, and it guarantees that no single unit gains too much influence. The legislative branch, for example, contains the executive branch’s power through the power of government oversight.

The Benefits of a Federal Government

  • Why does the United States have a federal government, yet the United Kingdom does not? The solution is related to size. Federal governments work best in large countries with a varied populations with various demands but a shared culture that binds them together.
  • Consider the distinction between Wyoming (the least densely inhabited state) and New Jersey (the most densely populated state). Undoubtedly, each state’s demands at the local level will differ; hence each form should establish its local government to fulfill those needs. Yet, the national government unites both states since they have a shared culture and interest.
  • Federal governments assist in meeting the diverse demands of a vast country. Unsurprisingly, huge countries like the United States, Mexico, Germany, Canada, Australia, and Brazil have federal governments.

Federal Government Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about the Federal Government across 29 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Federal Government worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about a federal system of government, which is one that divides the powers of government between the national (federal) government and state and local government in which each level has sovereignty in some areas and shares powers in other areas.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Word Hunt
  • Who’s Got the Power?
  • Voc-OWL-bulary
  • Federal Nations
  • The Cabinet
  • Pros and Cons
  • Prominent Fed Heads
  • Current Fed Heads
  • Walking Tour
  • Speak Up

Frequently Asked Questions 

What does the “federal government” mean?

A federal government has a central government and several semi-autonomous states or provinces that operate inside the central authority. 

What countries have a federal system of government?

An example of a country having a federal government is the United States, and a legal instrument that establishes a federal government is the US Constitution. Countries like Mexico, Germany, Canada, Australia, and Brazil also have federal governments.

What is the role of the federal government?

The federal government’s job is to run the entire country. Various federal administrations in multiple countries have different duties. In the United States, the federal government manages the armed forces, carries out diplomacy, and performs several other crucial administrative tasks.

What are some principles of a federal government? 

A federal government is distinguished because it comprises numerous states or provinces, all subservient to the central authority. The ideas that describe how a federal government runs are usually contained in the constitution of that government.

Are there benefits in a federal system of government?  

Federal governments work best in large countries with a varied populations with various demands but a shared culture that binds them together. Federal governments assist in meeting the diverse needs of a vast country. 

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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