Devolution: Narrowing the Definition of Interstate Commerce

This is an Inquiry Pack to accompany the Federalism Timeline on LegalTimelines.org, which examines the evolving division of duties and powers between the federal and state governments throughout the eras of federalism.

Built around primary sources from the Library of Congress and other collections, this Inquiry Pack facilitates a deep dive into an important aspect of the history of federalism in the United States.

Each Inquiry Pack includes a background reading, several primary sources (documents, articles, images), discussion questions about the sources, an inquiry question, and an inquiry extension question.

This pack includes the following components:

• Introduction: The Devolution Revolution
• Does the Gun-Free School Zones Act Regulate Interstate Commerce?
• Does the Violence Against Women Act Regulate Interstate Commerce?
• Is Requiring the Purchase of Insurance Regulating Interstate Commerce?
• Inquiry Question: During the Devolution Revolution, how did the definition of interstate commerce become narrower?
• Inquiry Extension Question: Does the Commerce Clause allow Congress to use its commerce power to regulate social media platforms that spread disinformation regarding elections? What is your reasoning?
• Inquiry Question Graphic Organizer