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In this lesson, students watch a video segment from the PBS series The Supreme Court about the landmark case Maryland v. McCulloch and consider the powers of the national government and state governments. Students take on the role of news reporters to analyze and present the case decision.
This lesson is the second of two lessons that comprise a unit on balancing state and federal authority. For the first lesson, see Define and Classify the Powers Associated with Federalism Lesson Plan For extension activities to use with this unit, visit the Supreme Court website.
(1) 50 minute period
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) Unknown
1. Ask students if they have ever experienced a conflict or struggle with their friends or classmates over making a decision. Take student responses and ask them to describe their experiences. Explain that just as they might have had a clash over a decision with their classmates, the national government and the states have experienced a similar power struggle.
2. Tell students they are going to watch a video segment that illustrates the Supreme Court's first major case that attempted to help resolve a conflict between the national government and the state of Maryland. Distribute the McCulloch v. Maryland Questions. Prior to playing the video segment, review the questions students should focus on while watching the clip:
3. Play McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) Unknown. You may choose to play the clip multiple times for student understanding.
4. Ask students to discuss the following questions. The answers below are provided as a guide:
1. Assign students to work in groups of three to five and give each group several sheets of flip-chart paper and markers.
3. When students have completed their work, a representative from each group presents its news story. Ask students to compare and contrast the news stories they have heard, saw, or read. If necessary, clarify any points of fact that students were confused about.
4. For homework (or in class if time permits), ask students to respond to the following in an essay: