Explanation of the 10th Amendment

The purpose of the Tenth Amendment is basically over looking the point the Constitution makes toward federalism in stating that the powers that are not granted to the government, will be reserved to the people.  When this amendment was first suggested, it did not apply to the states, it only applied to the federal law.  At the time, the states had their own constitutions and bill of rights.  Some states ( southern states) also had slavery which was also protected by the Tenth Amendment. This amendment is saying that the government can not practice or carry on with rights that were not legally granted to them by the Constitution.  Therefore the rights not granted to them are automatically reserved to the people.  The Tenth Amendment was also veiwed as an effort to push back any unconstitutional law.  This amendment is necessary because it makes a good point and stands up for the rights of state citizens against the government. Although it also points out that there is a limit as to how far they will go governing the nation.