What is the purpose of the Tenth Amendment in the U.S. Constitution?

The purpose of the Tenth Amendment is to reaffirm state sovereignty by emphasizing the principle of federalism, which is a foundational aspect of the U.S. Constitution. Ratified in 1791, the Tenth Amendment states that powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. This amendment serves to limit the scope of federal authority, making it clear that any power not specifically granted to the federal government is retained by the states and the people.

This is significant in the context of the founding principles of the United States, where there was a strong desire to prevent a concentration of power in a central government, reflective of the experiences with British rule. By highlighting the rights of states, the Tenth Amendment ensures that states can exercise their own governance and maintain autonomy over local matters. This affirmation of state sovereignty plays a crucial role in the ongoing dialogue about the balance of power between state and federal authorities in American political life.