The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Question

How does this amendment reflect the beliefs of Anti-Federalists?

Answer 1

This amendment, known as the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, reflects the beliefs of the Anti-Federalists in several ways:

1. States' Rights: The Anti-Federalists believed in a decentralized government structure, where power was primarily held at the state level rather than a strong central government. The Tenth Amendment affirms this notion by explicitly stating that any powers not specifically granted to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people. This reflective of the Anti-Federalists' concern for protecting the sovereignty and powers of individual states.

2. Limited Federal Government: The Anti-Federalists were concerned about the potential for the federal government to become too powerful at the expense of individual liberties and state sovereignty. By reserving powers to the states or the people, the Tenth Amendment sets a limit on the authority of the federal government and ensures that states can exercise their own decision-making and governance on matters not explicitly granted to the federal government. This aligns with the Anti-Federalists' belief in a more limited and restrained central authority.

3. Protection of Individual Liberties: The Anti-Federalists were staunch advocates for protecting individual liberties and feared that a strong national government could infringe upon these rights. By reserving powers to the people, the Tenth Amendment recognizes the importance of individual rights and allows for citizens to retain authority in areas not specifically granted to the federal government. This reflects the Anti-Federalists' commitment to safeguarding individual freedoms and ensuring a proper balance between federal and state powers.

Overall, the Tenth Amendment reflects the Anti-Federalists' concerns about centralization of power and their desire for a decentralized government structure that protected the rights and powers of states and individuals.