Which of the following amendments specifically addresses the rights of the states?

The Tenth Amendment specifically addresses the rights of the states by reaffirming that any powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states, are reserved for the states or the people. This amendment establishes the principle of federalism, emphasizing the division of powers between the national government and the state governments.

The emphasis on states' rights in the Tenth Amendment is crucial in discussions surrounding the balance of power in the U.S. political system. It highlights the autonomy of states to govern themselves within the framework of the Constitution, allowing them room to legislate on a variety of issues that may not be specifically mentioned at the federal level.

In contrast, the Ninth Amendment serves to protect individual rights not specifically enumerated in the Constitution, ensuring that the absence of certain rights in the Constitution does not imply the absence of those rights. The Thirteenth and Fifteenth Amendments focus on abolishing slavery and ensuring voting rights, respectively, and do not pertain to the specific rights of states.