What does the Tenth Amendment address?

The Tenth Amendment plays a crucial role in the U.S. Constitution by emphasizing the distribution of power between the federal government and the states. Specifically, it asserts that any powers not specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states, are reserved for the states or the people. This serves to limit the extent of federal authority and protect the sovereignty of state governments in areas not explicitly dealt with at the national level. It reflects the principle of federalism, ensuring that states maintain their own rights and responsibilities.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of rights and governance. The protection of individual rights would be more relevant to the Bill of Rights as a whole, which outlines specific freedoms and protections. The establishment of a federal government pertains to the overall structure laid out in the Constitution, but does not capture the essence of the Tenth Amendment's focus on state powers. Lastly, while equal protection under the law relates to the Fourteenth Amendment, it does not align with the specific content and intent of the Tenth Amendment.