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10th Amendment

Definition

The 10th Amendment is a part of the United States Constitution that reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or to the people.

Analogy

Think of the 10th Amendment as a safety net for the states. It's like when you and your friends are playing a game and there are rules set by an adult, but if there's something not covered by those rules, you can make your own decisions within certain boundaries.

Related terms

Federalism: This term refers to the division of power between the national government and state governments in a country.

Reserved Powers: These are powers that are specifically set aside for the states according to the 10th Amendment.

Supremacy Clause: This clause establishes that federal law takes precedence over state laws when there is a conflict between them.

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.