Describe the federal system of government and the allocation of powers between the federal government and state governments.

The federal system is the system of government established by the Constitution, in which the national government (also called the federal government) and the state governments share sovereign powers. The Constitution specifies, however, that certain powers can be exercised only by the national government. For example, the national government was authorized to regulate domestic and foreign commerce (trade). The president of the United States was declared to be the nation's chief executive and commander in chief of the armed forces. The Constitution also made it clear that laws made by the national government take priority over conflicting state laws. At the same time, the Constitution provided for certain states' rights, including the right to control commerce within state borders and to exercise powers to protect public health, safety, morals, and general welfare.