According to the Constitution, the national government was stronger than the state governments.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It Is Weaker Than Both
• D. It Is Completely Equal in Power

Answer: (A)

The main idea this question tests is how the Constitution set up the balance of power between the national government and the states—federalism. The Constitution created a stronger national government than the one under the Articles of Confederation, with clear powers to tax, regulate interstate and foreign commerce, coin money, raise and maintain an army, and conduct foreign policy. The Supremacy Clause then establishes that national law is the supreme law of the land, so when there’s a conflict, federal rules prevail over state laws. At the same time, the Tenth Amendment reserves to the states any powers not explicitly granted to the national government, but that reservation does not offset the overall strength of the national government in its enumerated areas. This design explains why the national government is stronger overall, making the statement true.