How do the general duties of the national government differ from those of state governments?

In the American Revolution era and beyond, even into the present day, it can be safely said that the general duties of the national (or, federal) government differ from those of the state government in two respects. The first is that federal government is charged with administering and operating in all affairs influencing the nation from beyond its borders, such as in respect to war-making or other threats of force. The second is that federal government is responsible for providing guidelines for (and otherwise overseeing) relations and processes between or among states, whereas in-state operations would generally be overseen by each state's own governmental power.