Article 1, section 10?

Question

Could someone please explain each paragraph in a good summary. I have read section 10 of article 1, but I just dont feel like I am getting the real concept of it. It would be a great help.

Answer 1

No state can decide a peace agreement with another country, create their own money or grant any person a title of "nobility."

No state can create taxes on things coming in and out of the country without the approval of Congress.

No state can keep their own troops (except in the case of state militia which is another story), navy ships during war time or declare war. Congress reserves the right to declare war and maintain the army.

In other words, this is a case in Federalism, the difference between National/Federal power and state power. If you read the rest of the Constitution, it discusses what federal powers are and it discusses that whatever powers "not delegated" to Congress are automatically given to the states. This is a whole topic of conversation! :)

Answer 2

I can sum all of them up in one sentence:

Article One, Section 10 of the Constitution prohibits the States from carrying out any of the duties given to the Congress in Article One, Section Eight.