The relationship between the states and the federal government is primarily outlined in Article IV of the United States Constitution. This article addresses the powers and responsibilities of states, the rights of states in relation to each other, and how the federal government interacts with the states.
Additionally, the Supremacy Clause, located in Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution, establishes that federal law takes precedence over state law when there is a conflict between the two. The 10th Amendment also plays a crucial role, emphasizing that powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved for the states and the people. These provisions together create the framework for federalism in the United States.