What powers are denied to state governments?

• A. State governments are denied the power to declare war and keep their own armies.
• B. They cannot collect taxes.
• C. They cannot issue licenses.
• D. They cannot regulate education.

Answer: (A)

The big idea here is who handles national defense. The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war and to raise and support the national army, so states don’t have the authority to declare war or keep their own armies. Keeping these powers at the national level helps the country act as one united force. The other examples—collecting taxes, issuing licenses, and regulating education—are things states do, within the limits set by the Constitution, which is why they aren’t the correct focus of this question.