The 11th Amendment to the United States Constitution was introduced to address issues that arose from the relationship between state and federal judicial powers, particularly highlighted by the 1793 Supreme Court case Chisholm v. Georgia. The ruling in that case allowed a citizen of one state to sue another state in federal court, which triggered significant concern among the states regarding their sovereign immunity. In response, Congress passed the 11th Amendment to prevent federal courts from hearing cases against a state by citizens of another state or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.

The amendment reflects the Founding Fathers' intent to create a balance between the power of the federal government and the rights of individual states. Ensuring that states could not be sued without their consent, the 11th Amendment solidified the principle of state sovereignty. After its passage through Congress, it was ratified by the necessary number of states, further enshrining this judicial limitation into the fabric of American law. This amendment became significant not just for its immediate legal implications, but also for its long-term effects on federalism in the United States.

The implications of the 11th Amendment continued to unfold as various state and federal court cases emerged in the following years. It helped define the landscape of federal-state relations and has been the basis for many important Supreme Court decisions over the ensuing decades. As a consequence, the amendment has continued to play a critical role in discussions regarding state rights and the federal government’s reach. It is an essential part of the Constitution that reflects the ongoing debate over the limits of governmental authority.