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How does the United States Constitution divide power between the national government and state governments?
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federalism
A Venn diagram showing government powers under U.S. federalism.
The United States Constitution establishes a system of federalism, dividing power between the national government and state governments. The national government holds powers explicitly delegated to it by the Constitution, such as regulating interstate commerce, declaring war, and managing foreign relations. Conversely, the Tenth Amendment reserves all powers not delegated to the federal government, nor prohibited to the states, to the states or the people themselves. This division ensures that states retain significant autonomy in areas not specifically assigned to the federal level.12345