The document discusses the changing nature of federalism in the United States. It examines how the relationship between the federal and state governments shifted towards stronger central government control in the 20th century until the 1970s, and then moved back towards states' rights after the 1970s. It poses exam-style questions about how and why this change occurred and the pros and cons of federalism. It also provides background on key Supreme Court cases like McCulloch v. Maryland and Gibbons v. Ogden that expanded federal power and centralized authority in the early 19th century.