ARTICLES

The Constitution divides government authority between the national government and the states. Learn how federalism, enumerated powers, the Tenth Amendment, shared powers, and the Supremacy Clause shape that system.

The U.S. Constitution gives the federal government significant authority while placing legal limits on how that power is exercised. Explore how enumerated powers, separate branches, checks and balances, the Bill of Rights, and federalism help define those limits.

In 1787, delegates gathered in Philadelphia intending to revise the Articles of Confederation. Instead, they designed a new federal system. Explore the debates over representation, divided powers, slavery, and the compromises that produced the U.S. Constitution.