The struggle between federal and centralized authority has been a central theme in political history, particularly in nations with federal systems. Here are key historical examples of battles over federalism, outlining disputes between state/regional authority and national/central authority:

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United States

1. The Articles of Confederation vs. U.S. Constitution (1781–1789)

• Conflict: Under the Articles of Confederation, the states retained most powers, leaving the federal government weak and unable to regulate commerce or enforce laws effectively. The failure of this system prompted calls for a stronger central government.
• Resolution: The U.S. Constitution (1787) created a federal system that balanced power between the national and state governments, with powers explicitly enumerated for the federal government and reserved for states.

2. Nullification Crisis (1832–1833)

• Conflict: South Carolina opposed federal tariffs, arguing that states had the right to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional. This was part of broader debates over states’ rights.
• Resolution: President Andrew Jackson threatened military action against South Carolina. The crisis was defused by the Compromise Tariff of 1833, but the tension over federalism persisted, contributing to the Civil War.

3. The Civil War (1861–1865)

• Conflict: At its core, the Civil War was a battle over federalism, with the Confederacy asserting states’ rights to allow slavery and secede from the Union, while the Union upheld the federal government’s authority.
• Resolution: The Union victory reaffirmed the supremacy of federal authority, though debates over federalism persisted in areas like civil rights and economic regulation.

4. New Deal Federalism (1930s)

• Conflict: During the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs expanded federal authority significantly. Opponents argued this encroached on states’ rights.
• Resolution: Key Supreme Court decisions upheld many New Deal programs, redefining federalism by increasing federal power over economic and social policy.

5. Civil Rights Movement (1950s–1960s)

• Conflict: Southern states resisted federal efforts to enforce desegregation and civil rights, asserting states’ rights to maintain segregation.
• Resolution: Federal legislation like the Civil Rights Act (1964) and Supreme Court decisions like Brown v. Board of Education (1954) reaffirmed the federal government’s authority to enforce civil rights.