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Tenth Amendment

Definition

The Tenth Amendment refers to an amendment in the United States Constitution that clarifies the division of powers between the federal government and state governments. It states that any power not specifically granted to the federal government is reserved for the states or the people.

Analogy

Imagine you're playing a board game with your friends, and there are certain rules that only apply to certain players. The Tenth Amendment is like a rule that says if a rule isn't explicitly written for everyone, those particular players can make their own rules or decisions.

Related terms

Federalism: This term refers to the system of government where power is shared between a central authority (federal government) and individual states.

Reserved Powers: These are powers that are not given to the federal government by the Constitution and are therefore reserved for the states or the people.

Enumerated Powers: These are specific powers granted to Congress by the Constitution, such as regulating commerce or declaring war.