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How does the Tenth Amendment protect states' rights in United States federalism?

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Venn diagram illustrating the division of powers under U.S. federalism, with the left circle listing national government powers, the right circle listing state government powers, and the overlapping center showing concurrent powers shared by both. — federalism A Venn diagram showing government powers under U.S. federalism.

The Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is a cornerstone of states' rights within American federalism. It explicitly reserves powers not delegated to the federal government, nor prohibited to the states, to those respective states or to the people. This amendment was crucial in assuaging fears that the new Constitution would create an overpoweringly strong central government at the expense of state autonomy.12

While the Tenth Amendment does not grant states additional powers or alter the fundamental relationship between federal and state governments, it affirms that states can establish their own laws and policies, provided they do not conflict with federal authority. The Supreme Court has, at various times, used the Tenth Amendment to limit federal power, particularly concerning commerce and taxation, though it generally upholds the supremacy of the national government.2