View source for Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution

==Introduction==
The [[Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Tenth Amendment]] is a part of the [[United States Bill of Rights|Bill of Rights]] that was ratified on December 15, 1791. It is a foundational piece of American constitutional law that emphasizes the balance of power between the federal government and the states. The amendment states that the federal government possesses only those powers delegated to it by the United States Constitution, and all remaining powers are reserved for the states or the people.

[[Image:Detail-57398.jpg|thumb|center|An aged parchment featuring the handwritten text of the Tenth Amendment.|class=only_on_mobile]]
[[Image:Detail-57399.jpg|thumb|center|An aged parchment featuring the handwritten text of the Tenth Amendment.|class=only_on_desktop]]

==Text==
The text of the Tenth Amendment is brief and succinct, stating: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." This language reflects the principle of federalism, a core concept in the American governmental system, which posits a division of power between the federal government and the individual states.

==Historical Context==
The Tenth Amendment was introduced during the drafting of the [[United States Constitution|Constitution]] in 1787. The [[Federalist Party|Federalists]], led by [[Alexander Hamilton]], argued for a strong central government, while the [[Anti-Federalist Party|Anti-Federalists]], led by [[Thomas Jefferson]], advocated for states' rights. The Tenth Amendment was a compromise between these two factions, designed to reassure those who were concerned about the potential overreach of a strong central government.

==Interpretation and Application==
The interpretation and application of the Tenth Amendment have been subjects of ongoing legal debate. Some argue that the amendment grants broad powers to the states, while others contend that it merely restates the Constitution's principle of federalism. The [[United States Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] has ruled in various cases that the Tenth Amendment does not limit Congress's power to enforce the provisions of the Constitution.

==Impact and Significance==
The Tenth Amendment has played a significant role in shaping the American political landscape. It has been invoked in discussions and legal cases involving states' rights, federalism, and the limits of federal power. The amendment has also been used to support arguments for the decentralization of government power and the protection of individual liberties.

==Controversies==
Despite its seemingly straightforward language, the Tenth Amendment has been the subject of numerous controversies. These have largely centered around the interpretation of the amendment's language and its implications for the balance of power between the federal government and the states.

==See Also==
* [[United States Constitution]]
* [[United States Bill of Rights]]
* [[Federalism in the United States]]
* [[States' rights]]

[[Category:United States Constitution]]
[[Category:United States Bill of Rights]]
[[Category:Federalism in the United States]]