The federal system is very complex because it places responsibility on the state and federal governments. Our federal system is one in which powers are divided between the central government and the state government. Both act directly on citizens and must agree with constitutional changes. The division of power between the states and the federal government is called federalism. There have been intelligent presidents and leaders in the past who have given the federal government more power than the states. We have seen our country shift power between the states and the central government. The first time we observed the federal government with more power was after the Civil War. The Southern State had decided to cancel the abolition of slavery. After the war the federal government emerged victorious. It was our bloodiest war. The Southern state claimed that slavery was a state issue and not a government issue. The government took a more active role in state affairs. One way the federal government gets more power is by giving grants to states. Although the money is free, it really isn't. THE ...