Chapter 4 - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Chapter 4Section 3

Relations Among the States

Pages 76-79Slide2

Objectives

1. Describe how states are admitted to the United States.

2. List ways in which states work together in the federal system.Slide3

Admitting New States

To become a state, a territory usually petitions, or asks, Congress to be allowed into the Union.

Enabling Act: legislation that directs the territory to draft a state constitution establishing a representative government.

Territory elects delegates to draft a constitution. Approval of the residents of the territory, submitted to Congress for approval. Slide4

Act of Admission: legislation that makes the territory a state with status equal to that of all the other states.

Some states were formed from existing states. A new state may not be formed from the territory of an existing state without that state’s permission. [example: Virginia-had seceded from the Union during the Civil War. Created West Virginia from the Restored Government of Virginia.]Slide5

States in the Federal System

States cooperating with each other. Full Faith and Credit: Article IV, Section 1, of the Constitution states, “ Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.”

Public acts

refers to civil laws-laws that govern relationships among individual parties and that define people’s legal rights. [contracts, legal ownership of property in another state.]Slide6

Convictions, settlements and other decisions of courts in other states. States do not have to enforce other states’ criminal laws, which includes certain actions and provide punishment for violations. It also covers theft and murder.

Requires states to honor official records. [driver’s licenses, car registrations, and wills]Slide7

State Cooperation

States are particularly cooperative with one another in family court cases. For example, a Brooklyn woman who was on probation in New York but living in South Carolina near her aunt was allowed to enjoy more frequent visits with her six year-old son. The aunt requested custody of the child, who had been living with a foster family in New York, so he could be closer to his mother.

This situation is not unusual. A huge body of legislation guards parents’ rights. Federal and state law require the New York family court to comply with requests such as the aunt’s in this case, provided that the relative is considered to be a qualified guardian.Slide8

Privileges and immunities

Article IV, Section 2 of the Constitution: “ The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states.” Meaning that a resident of one state cannot be unreasonably discriminated against by another state.

You must become a resident of the state to vote in elections or serve on juries. Slide9

Extradition

Crime is another way in which states cooperate. Remember one state cannot enforce another state’s criminal laws. Article IV, Section 2, of the Constitution provides for the extradition of people who are alleged or convicted of committing a crime.

Extradition: process of sending a suspect or criminal back to the state from which he or she has fled.

1987: The Supreme Court ruled that governors must honor extradition requests from other states. Slide10

Interstate Compacts

Interstate Compacts: or agreements with other states, if Congress approves. This deals with flood control, protection of natural resources, and pollution.Slide11

Any State Activity

Task one: Choose any state in the United States. Easy!

Task Two: Profile your chosen state-[state symbols, state flag, population, year of admission, tourism highlights, weather, economics, waterways, etc….]Slide12

Task Three: Create a poster that reflects your state profile.

Task Four: On your poster show captions on economics, tourism, symbols, etc.

Task Five: Be able to

share with the class

why you chose your state.