U.S. History STAAR ( State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Practice Test

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What is a key principle of the Tenth Amendment?

Rights of individuals over government
Reserved powers to the states
Guarantee of free speech
Protection against cruel punishment

The correct answer is: Reserved powers to the states

The Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution emphasizes the principle of federalism by asserting that powers not delegated to the federal government nor prohibited to the states are reserved for the states or the people. This means that any authority not explicitly given to the federal government by the Constitution belongs to the states or the citizens. The Tenth Amendment plays a crucial role in defining the division of power between the national and state governments, reinforcing the idea that state governments have significant authority to govern within their own jurisdictions, as long as their actions do not contradict federal law. This foundational principle contributes to the balance of power that characterizes the American political system, giving states the autonomy to legislate on various issues such as education and law enforcement, as long as they operate within the boundaries established by federal law.