What is the Article 1 Section 10 of the Constitution?

Asked by: Dr. Josefina Buckridge II  |  Last update: April 28, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (51 votes)

Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution lists powers denied to individual states, preventing them from acting like independent nations by forbidding actions like making treaties, coining money, entering alliances, passing certain laws (like ex post facto laws or bills of attainder), or engaging in war without federal consent, thus ensuring federal supremacy and national unity. It also restricts states from laying duties on imports/exports or keeping troops in peacetime without Congressional approval.

What does Article 1 Section 10 of the Constitution mean?

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Did the founding fathers put God in the Constitution?

No, the Founding Fathers did not put God in the U.S. Constitution; the document is notably silent on God and religion, a deliberate choice reflecting a consensus on separating church and state, though the Declaration of Independence did mention a Creator and the Articles of Confederation used "Great Governor of the World," while the Constitution includes a "Year of our Lord" in its date and bars religious tests for office in Article VI and the First Amendment protects religious freedom.
 

Which action would violate article 1 section 10 of the Constitution?

Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution prohibits states from actions such as making treaties, waging war, coiling money, and maintaining their own armies to ensure federal authority and national unity. This restriction prevents states from exercising powers that could conflict with the national government.

What are the 10 sections of article 1?

Contents

  • 1 Section 1: Legislative power vested in Congress.
  • 2 Section 2: House of Representatives. ...
  • 3 Section 3: Senate. ...
  • 4 Section 4: Congressional elections and sessions. ...
  • 5 Section 5: Procedure. ...
  • 6 Section 6: Compensation, privileges, and restrictions on holding civil office. ...
  • 7 Section 7: Bills. ...
  • 8 Section 8: Powers of Congress.

The Constitution Line by Line: Article I, Section 10 – Limits on State Powers

19 related questions found

What is article 1 in simple terms?

The supremacy of the people through their elected representatives is recognized in Article I, which creates a Congress consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The positioning of Congress at the beginning of the Constitution affirms its status as the “First Branch” of the federal government.

What is Article 1 Section 10 Clause 3?

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Who can violate your constitutional rights?

The person who violated your rights must have been acting with government authority or “under color of law.” This could include police officers, corrections officers, judges, prosecutors, and other government employees acting in their official capacity.

What is one thing states cannot do according to section 10?

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Can a president change the Constitution?

The Constitution does not give a president the power to violate the Constitution, create or change congressional statutes, or override U.S. Supreme Court decisions—no matter what the EOs say.

What did Stephen Hawking say about God?

Stephen Hawking was an atheist who believed science, particularly M-theory, explained the universe's creation without needing a God, famously stating, "There is no God. No one directs the universe" in his final book, Brief Answers to the Big Questions. While he initially suggested a "mind of God" might be knowable through science, he later clarified that this meant understanding all that would exist if God did, concluding, "Which there isn't. I'm an atheist". He saw natural laws as sufficient to explain existence, viewing God as a human concept for the unknown, not a personal being. 

Did all 613 laws come from God?

Yes, the 613 mitzvot (commandments) are traditionally believed to have been given by God to the Israelites through Moses at Mount Sinai, encompassing the whole of the Torah, not just the Ten Commandments, which are summaries of these laws. Jewish tradition, formalized by scholars like Maimonides, compiled these laws from the Old Testament into distinct positive ("do this") and negative ("do not do this") commands, though debate exists on the exact count and interpretation, with some laws being context-dependent or not applicable today. 

What did Benjamin Franklin say about Jesus?

Benjamin Franklin admired Jesus' moral teachings, calling His system the "best the world ever saw," but had doubts about His divinity, viewing him as a great moral teacher rather than God, though he didn't dwell on the question, focusing instead on living virtuous lives by imitating Jesus and Socrates. He believed revealed religion had corrupted Jesus' original message and sought a rational, virtuous life grounded in doing good, a path accessible to people of all faiths. 

Is God mentioned in the US Constitution?

No, the U.S. Constitution does not explicitly mention God, Jesus, or Christianity; its focus is secular, establishing government structure and guaranteeing religious freedom, though it uses the phrase "Year of our Lord" for dating the document and mentions "religion" in the First Amendment regarding no establishment of religion. The document instead separates church and state, ensuring no religious test for office and prohibiting a government-established religion, reflecting the founders' aim for religious liberty.
 

What is the Article 1 Section 10 Clause 2?

No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United ...

What is the purpose of section 10?

This section provides an exemption for dividends you receive from investments in Indian companies. The exemption is limited to Rs. 10,000. If you receive dividends exceeding this amount, the excess will be subject to tax.

Why is article 1 section 10 important?

Article I, Section 10, limits the power of the states. States may not enter into a treaty with a foreign nation; that power is given to the president, with the advice and consent of two-thirds of the Senate present. States cannot make their own money, nor can they grant any title of nobility.

Can states violate constitutional rights?

State law is preempted if it interferes with federal law, and when states either apply the wrong federal substantive law or apply a state procedure that unnecessarily burdens a federal right, it violates the Supremacy Clause.

What does the US Constitution forbid?

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Can a president be removed for violating the Constitution?

The impeachment process

The Constitution gives Congress the power to impeach federal officials. An official can be impeached for treason, bribery, and “other high crimes and misdemeanors.” The House of Representatives brings articles (charges) of impeachment against an official.

Do undocumented immigrants have rights?

Yes. The Constitution guarantees due process rights to all "persons," not just citizens. This means non-citizens, including undocumented immigrants, are entitled to fair treatment under the law. This includes the right to defend themselves in court.

Can I sue the government for violating my constitutional rights?

The primary legal tool we use is 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which authorizes claims against government actors who violate constitutional rights while acting “under color of law.” This statute is essential for securing justice for the victims of police misconduct, unlawful arrests, and due process violations.

What are the 5 requirements to be vice President?

1. What are the qualifications for the office of president or vice president?

  • Be a natural born citizen of the United States.
  • Be 35 years old by the time you will take the oath of office.
  • Be a resident of the United States for 14 years by the time you will take the oath of office.

Why is Article 1 so important?

Article I describes the design of the legislative branch of US Government -- the Congress. Important ideas include the separation of powers between branches of government (checks and balances), the election of Senators and Representatives, the process by which laws are made, and the powers that Congress has.

What is the imminent threat clause?

A Notice of Imminent Threat clause requires a party to promptly inform the other party if it becomes aware of any situation that poses an immediate risk to safety, property, or the fulfillment of contractual obligations.