This lesson, based on Balancing State and Federal Power: The Constitution’s Commerce Clause, introduces students to the Commerce Clause as a foundation of federal power and a key source of ongoing debate between state and federal governments. The lesson emphasizes:
- The basic structure of the U.S. Constitution and Article I
- How the Constitution divides power between state and federal governments
- The idea that laws and interpretations can change over time
- How commerce (trade and economic activity) affects everyday life
*Developed by Nicole Johnston, an experienced history educator and instructional leader in New Jersey.