What does the Tenth Amendment address?

• A. Rights not specifically reserved to the federal government
• B. Protection of individual freedoms
• C. Rights of states versus those of citizens
• D. Regulation of interstate commerce

Answer: (A)

The Tenth Amendment addresses the distribution of power between the federal government and the states. It states that any powers not specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved for the states or the people. This principle reflects the framers' intention to limit the federal government's authority and protect the rights of states, ensuring that they retain their powers unless explicitly given to the national government.

This amendment is fundamental in affirming the decentralized nature of American federalism, where states have significant authority to self-govern. The options related to protecting individual freedoms, the rights of states versus those of citizens, and the regulation of interstate commerce focus on different aspects of governance but do not address the specific purpose of the Tenth Amendment, which is primarily concerned with the division of powers.