U.S. History to 1877: Hard Early Years and Free States Governments

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The early years proved to be a flood of newcomers in the United States. The early 1600 economic downfall captured England all the way down. Many people died of hunger and disease. People had no source of income and no work. Then slowly and gradually the economic condition started becoming sound. When the United States became a free state, the state constitutions were passed in order to create a formal government in the state. United States citizens have always firmly believed their constitution as a sacred document. The interpretation of the constitution is where the two-point of view was introduced one believing in the power focused on central government while the other believing in the state having all the powers.

In the early 34000 and 30,000 B.C. during the Ice age, Beringia also known as the Bering land bridge emerged between Asia and North America. It was around 1500 kilometers wide covered with greenery all over and was the center of attraction for large animals. These large animals were being hunted by a human at that time for their living. These large creatures being the vital source of food for the early North Americans began to vanish due to overhunting or any other cause. So then they started depending on plants and seeds for their diet. It was then the ancient agriculture appeared. (Stokes, 2002, p. 194)

Adnan, an Indian group were found to be building mounds in the United States for a religious purpose not clearly identified. It was about 600 B.C. After Adenans, various groups replaced them known as Hopewellians they were great traders of materials and tools in about a hundred kilometer’s region. They were residing in Southern Ohio. Then the Mississippians appeared and they were termed as Temple Mound Culture. At that time the prime source of their living was trading, agriculture, and hunting.

The first Europeans were found in North America in the year 985. Canada, the northeast coast was discovered in the year 1001. Christopher Columbus helped to establish the discovering of the United States. It started when Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513 entered Florida and in 1522 the Spanish explored Mexico. When the Spanish were heading their ways all over the South people like Giovanni da Verrazano had their fingers on the Northern part. In 1607, Northern America entered a new era when the first and the foremost British Colony were successfully formed at Jamestown. (Stokes, 2002, p. 196)

The early 1600s proved to be a flood of newcomers in the United States. In the early 1600 economic downfall captured England all the way down. Many people died of hunger and disease. People had no source of income and no work. Even the people who were skilled could hardly survive. Lack of crop production added more stress to this adverse condition. It was the Indians there who taught them how to grow native plants. This then became a rich source of income for them as it provided enough raw materials so that they could build their houses, furniture, and other goods which they could export. Most of the people who came to the United State were English but there was another huge population of Dutch, Scots, Irish, French, Swedes, and Germans who initially came in a small group and then became a considerably large part of the U.S. population. (Russo, 2000, p. 55)

Slowly and gradually the economic condition started rehabilitating and people then started moving towards shipbuilding, grain mills, and sea trade. Sea became a vital source of returns for them and brought wealth to the state. This opened ways for the building of schools and churches. The business grew and brought prosperity all around. Boston became America’s one of the largest ports. During the colonial period building of colleges and other educational institutions was carried out including the Harvard College founded in 1636 in Cambridge. Libraries were introduced and printing presses were established to promote education. (Stokes, 2002, p. 189)

The desire for independence emerged until January 1776; Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet named “Common Sense” that outreached the desire for a self-sufficient independent state with its own government and state laws. A formal declaration was needed then to be prepared for approval from all the colonies, North, South, and the Middle Colonies which was being given at the responsibility of Thomas Jefferson assisted by a group of five people. It was under his guidance that a formal declaration was prepared and an independent state was born in 1776. Then the state constitutions were passed in order to create a formal government in the state. (Stokes, 2002, p. 274)

United States citizens including government officials have always firmly believed their constitution as a sacred document. They feel their pride in making this accomplishment and want to have it remained intact for an indefinite future. But the problem arises because the constitution was made with respect to the consequences, conditions, and circumstances at that point in time and it could not remain intact in its original form. It would not be able to remain legitimate for an indefinite time period. So making changes and amendments in the document is required according to the rapidly changing time and situation. Also, the interpretation of the constitution was a difficult indeed very difficult task. And this is where the two-point of view or thoughts were introduced one believing in the power focused on the central government while the other believing in the state having all the powers. (Russo, 2000, p. 67)

In the 1790s a conflict arises is the basis for which were the power of the state and the power of government. The power of central government over the power of the state was favored by Alexander Hamilton, the Federalist. (Russo, 2000, p. 67)

However, the Antifederalists were led by Thomas Jefferson who supported state rights. Jefferson was more in favor of state freedom and only support a strong central government when it comes to foreign relations. (Russo, 2000, p. 67)

Hamilton however is a firm believer in having a strong, powerful, and effective government working in the interests of trade and industry. He also claimed that the government should have the complete support and trust of its citizens so that could work towards their betterment through executing various favorable commercial and financial activities. He supported the government by bringing on upfront the various industries which could serve as the backbone for the government, providing it all the funds it needs and thus in turn making it more powerful. The clash between them started when Jefferson became the secretary of state and brought his objection to the proposal of Hamilton of opening a national bank. He was completely in favor of the state’s right and made an argument that the constitution is in favor of completely enrolling all the power to the central government. (Russo, 2000, p. 68)

The constitution ensured that the national government would be responsible for the collection of taxes, payment of loans or debts, and keep a record of financial aid. For all these functions to be performed efficiently and effectively a bank was the only solution.

President Washington also supported Hamilton on his views and the Congress accepted his opinion and ideas. President Washington became the supporter of focus on governmental power. He was a nationalist and believed that the central government should hold all its rights and power and thus create a strong union.

President Jackson was the first one to bring to the presidency the state should be the center of focus where all of the power should be concentrated. (Russo, 2000, p. 70)

John C. Calhoun however joined the state rights believer at a later point of time but his contribution towards this interpretation was a lot more than any other people having the same point of view. He proposed and supported his opinion or belief of state rights by claiming that it is not the government that is sovereign, but it is the people of the state that are the supreme ruler and monarch. The people should have all the rights of self-governing. (Russo, 2000, p. 70)

This system of the constitution is explained in two ways one being nationalist and the other the state rights is not only a story of the United States but it has happened in other various countries like Canada and Australia. (Russo, 2000, p. 71)

The draft of the constitution included the following main points:

Identify and restricts the authority of the national government.
Identify the relationship between the national government and local government.
Individual rights of each and every citizen in the United States are being provided with full liberty. (Brackett, 2007, p. 279)

Now the system of government that was proposed was neither a powerful national government nor a system having its full focus on state rights. The power within the state is to be shared between the local state government and the national government. This sharing of power creates a unified result which further improves the mutual understanding and thus gives a diversified and productive decision. (Brackett, 2007, p. 280)

In this mutual sharing of power exclusive rights are being provided to the national and state governments which are stated as under:

The national government has the power of:

Print money/currency.
Declaration of war is under them.
Formulating and providing army and navy.
Formulation of post offices.
Regulate and carry international trade.
Promote and execute foreign policy
Make necessary laws to execute all the actions described above.

The state government has the power of:

Issue licenses.
Conduct Elections within the state.
Help formulate local governments.
Formulate and promote businesses.
Make necessary amendments in the constitution.
Responsible for making plans for public safety and health care.

The concurrent or shared powers between the national and state government include the following:

Building of roads.
Collection of all government taxes.
Assess the need for financial aid.
Establish a court of law.
Enforce law and order in the state.
Spend the money for the common wellbeing and rehabilitation.

In this mutual sharing of power there are certain powers that are being denied to the national and state governments which are stated as under:

The national government doesn’t have the power to:

Change the boundaries of the state.
Consume money from the treasury of the state without prior approval.
Cannot impose taxes on export among states.
Cannot violate the Bill of Rights.

The state government doesn’t have the power to:

Cannot suspend a person’s rights without following due process.
Cannot print money/currency.
Cannot impose taxes on import and export.
Cannot make treaties with other countries.

The mutually denied powers among the national and state government include the following:

Refuse the right of a citizen of the state to vote because of his color, race, or cast.
Refuse the right of a citizen of the state to vote because of gender.
Cannot grant titles.
Cannot permit slavery. (Brackett, 2007, p. 297).

References

Brackett, Albert G. (2007) History of the United States Cavalry: From the Formation of the Federal Government. Kessinger Publishing.

Russo, David J., (2000). American history from a global perspective: an interpretation. Greenwood Publishing Group.

Stokes Melvyn, (2002). The State of U.S. History. Berg Publishers.

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U.S. History to 1877: Hard Early Years and Free States Governments

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