Final answer:
The constitutional obligations of the national government towards states include guaranteeing a republican form of government, protecting states against foreign invasion and domestic violence, and ensuring equal representation in the Senate. Protection of state boundaries is implied, but providing financial assistance is not mandated constitutionally.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the constitutional obligations of the national government towards the states, specifically regarding guarantees. Article IV Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution, also known as the "Guarantee Clause," lays these out. First, it requires the national government to guarantee a republican form of government to every state, ensuring they are democracies led by elected officials. Second, the national government is obliged to protect the states against foreign invasion and, upon request of state legislatures or executives, against domestic violence. This would include protection of state boundaries from foreign encroachments. Third, the Constitution ensures equal representation in the Senate, providing each state with two senators regardless of its size, further embedding the principle of state equality within the legislative structure.
It is also worth noting that, while not a direct obligation, the respect for state boundaries is implied, as the national government cannot alter state boundaries without consent. However, there is no constitutional mandate for the provision of financial assistance to the states, although such assistance may be given at the discretion of the national government through various acts of Congress.