Which statement does not describe the U.S. Constitution?

The statement that does NOT describe the U.S. Constitution is: "The states maintain a firm control over the central government."

The U.S. Constitution establishes a system of government where the national government, while limited by enumerated powers, holds supremacy in various legal areas and is not controlled by the states.

Understanding the U.S. Constitution's Framework

The U.S. Constitution created a federal system of government, a significant departure from the previous Articles of Confederation, which more closely resembled a confederacy where states retained greater autonomy and control over a weaker central government.

Federalism: A Balance of Power

Federalism is a core principle of the U.S. Constitution. It refers to the division of power between a national (federal) government and various state governments. In this system:

• Shared Sovereignty: Both the federal and state governments have their own distinct spheres of authority.
• National Supremacy: As articulated in the Supremacy Clause (Article VI, Clause 2), the Constitution, federal laws made pursuant to it, and treaties made under its authority, are the "supreme Law of the Land." This means that in cases of conflict between federal and state law, federal law generally prevails, provided it is constitutional.
• Enumerated Powers: The federal government's powers are specifically listed or "enumerated" in the Constitution (e.g., coining money, regulating interstate commerce, declaring war). Powers not delegated to the federal government, nor prohibited to the states, are reserved to the states or the people (Tenth Amendment).

Why States Don't Control the Central Government

The idea that "the states maintain a firm control over the central government" misrepresents the U.S. constitutional structure. Instead, the Constitution created a powerful, yet limited, national government capable of addressing national issues effectively, without being subservient to individual state interests. This was a direct response to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, under which the states often acted independently, leading to a fragmented and ineffective central authority.

Here's a comparison:

In essence, the U.S. Constitution shifted power from a loose league of states to a more unified nation with a robust, supreme federal government, while still preserving significant powers for the states.