In creating what James Madison referred to as a “compound republic,” the framers of the U.S. Constitution established a political system that was bound to generate collisions between state and federal governments. This seminar will analyze disputes about the extent of federal and state authority throughout American History, beginning with the Federalists and anti-Federalists ratification debates, concluding with an exploration of leading episodes of state officials challenges to federal authority in the early American Republic, and analyzing various conflicts regarding the balance of state and federal power in the contemporary era.

This program will be conducted as a discussion, utilizing primary source documents as the only readings. Registrants are highly encouraged to read all documents in advance.