Name one power that is only for the federal government.

Question
58 of 128

Print paper money

The U.S. Constitution gives certain powers only to the national government so states cannot do them on their own. Making and printing U.S. currency is one of those powers, which helps keep money the same and trusted across the whole country.

Mint coins

Only the national government can create U.S. money, so people across all states use the same coins and currency. This keeps trade and prices consistent and prevents each state from making its own money.

Declare war

Only the national government can decide to use the U.S. military to fight another country. This keeps such a serious choice from being made by individual states and ensures one unified decision for the whole nation.

Create an army

The U.S. Constitution gives the national government certain powers that states do not have. One of those is raising and supporting a military to defend the country and respond to threats. States can have National Guard units, but the U.S. Army is created and controlled by the federal government.

Make treaties

Treaties are formal agreements with other countries, and the U.S. needs one national voice in foreign affairs. The Constitution gives the federal government this power so states cannot make their own deals with other nations.

Set foreign policy

The national government speaks for the whole country when dealing with other nations. It decides how the United States will act in international matters like alliances, agreements, and relations with other countries. States cannot make their own separate policies toward foreign countries.

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