Chocks: August 2020

The United States History

Note 1 = This essay provides a brief and non-linear overview of significant events, relying on existing data. It is not a definitive analysis and might lack exhaustive details. For a thorough understanding, readers are encouraged to refer to more comprehensive sources on the topic.

Note 2 = America, United States, United States of America, U.S.A, and U.S refer to the same country and they are often used interchangeably, though "United States of America" is the formal name.

Synopsis

Introduction
Foundation of America
Independence Day
Articles of Confederation
Constitution of the U.S.
American Civil War
The U.S. Constitution Core Values
Seven Articles of the U.S. Constitution
The U.S. Uniqueness in External Affairs
Three Types of Governments
Federal Government
State Governments
Election System
Washington, D.C.
NASA
Conclusion
Reference

Introduction

This essay undertakes a historical exploration, tracing the unique history of the United States from its inception to its current position as a dominant global power. Beginning with the invaluable journey of Christopher Columbus in 1492, it proceeds through the challenges encountered during the battle for independence and delves into the fundamental principles outlined in the Constitution.

Foundation of America

Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) was an Italian explorer who embarked on his journey on August 3, 1492, from Spain with the aim of finding a sea route to the Indian subcontinent for trading purposes. On October 12, 1492, Columbus reached the Caribbean Island and explored the coasts of Central America, although he did not arrive at the Indian subcontinent. It is also believed that the Scandinavian explorer Leif Erikson may have reached the American coasts about 500 years before Columbus was born. However, Columbus laid the foundation for the New World, specifically America, and claimed the land for Spain. Thus, the Spanish empire played a crucial role in paving the way for European colonization in the Americas. Many European empires colonized America at different periods, with Britain being the last empire to fully colonize America.

Independence Day

The American War of Independence (1775-1783) was initiated by the thirteen colonies against Britain, prompted by grievances over direct taxation without representation in the British Parliament. Representatives from the thirteen colonies formed the Continental Congress, which developed plans for public welfare and liberation. On March 14, 1775, John Adams proposed the name 'United Colonies' for the collective. The 'United Colonies' fought collectively against Britain and, on July 4, 1776, declared themselves an independent nation. On September 9, 1776, the Continental Congress officially renamed the entity the United States of America.

Articles of Confederation

After gaining independence, the first U.S. Constitution, the Articles of Confederation, was ratified on November 15, 1777, to implement public welfare schemes in the 13 states. However, leaders faced challenges in implementing these welfare plans due to the absence of a 'strong' supervisor among the 13 states. The Congress of the Confederation (formerly the Continental Congress) also grappled with economic and financial burdens.

Constitution of the U.S.

On September 17, 1787, leaders from the 13 states gathered in Philadelphia and created the Constitution of the United States, replacing the Articles of Confederation (1777-1781) through the Constitutional Convention. This document became the oldest written constitution in the modern world.

The Federal Government, with branches including the Legislative (Congress), Executive (President), and Judicial (Supreme Court), was established. The President was granted supreme authority, while simultaneously ensuring a policy of autonomy for the 13 states. This policy dictated that the President would not interfere in the decisions of the states, and the states would not interfere in the decisions of the President. The United States Congress (formerly the Congress of the Confederation) was formed, allowing state representatives in the Lower House (House of Representatives) and Upper House (Senate) to present their demands.

Rhode Island became the 13th and final state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on May 29, 1790. By the beginning of the 19th century, the United States initiated the acquisition of several territories, known as U.S. Territorial Acquisitions, leading to the expansion from the original 13 states to the 50 states we have today. The U.S. Constitution comprises 7 articles and 27 amendments, with the first 10 amendments collectively known as the Bill of Rights. In this context, the articles represent the original constitution, and the amendments signify changes made to existing articles.

American Civil War

When President Abraham Lincoln sought to free African people from slavery, 11 Southern states opposed his plan, citing the economic losses they would suffer. As a result, the Southern states declared themselves a separate country named the Confederate States of America. The American Civil War broke out in 1861 due to friction between Federal and State politics. Led by President Abraham Lincoln, the Northern states defeated the Southern states in the Civil War.

On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all persons held as slaves within the rebellious states shall be freed. He also emphasized the need for restoration plans during the Reconstruction Era. Through the restoration efforts, the remnants of secession raised by the Confederate States of America were brought to an end and reinstated under U.S. Federal rule. This process abolished slavery and granted freed slaves American citizenship.

On January 31, 1865, Congress passed the 13th Amendment, known as the Abolition of Slavery Act. This law was ratified by various states on December 6, 1865, officially ending the institution of slavery.

The U.S. Constitution Core Values

# Liberty - Freedom to think and act

# Equality - Equal treatment for all citizens

# Individualism - Encouraging private initiative for self-sufficiency

# Self-Government - Freedom from external governance

The U.S. Constitution is well-known for its system of checks and balances, which involves three essential branches overseeing government activities: the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches.

Seven Articles of the U.S. Constitution

# Article I (Legislative Branch) - Proposes Laws

# Article II (Executive Branch) - Approves Laws

# Article III (Judicial Branch) - Interprets Laws

# Article IV (The States) - Relations between Federal and State Governments

# Article V (Amendment) - Grants Congress the Power to Amend Laws

# Article VI (Debts, Supremacy, Oaths) - States' Debts, Supremacy of Law, and Oaths for Leaders

# Article VII (Ratification) - Refers to the Ratification by the 13 States of the Constitution

The U.S. Uniqueness in External Affairs

The U.S. is often viewed as exceptional in its external (foreign) affairs due to several key factors that contribute to its perception as a unique and influential player on the global stage. Through bold and creative approaches to foreign policy, the U.S. effectively engages with various countries and issues, supported by its extensive network of embassies and consulates around the world.

As a key player in organizations like NATO and the UN, the U.S. participates in numerous global agreements that enhance its diplomatic power. Being the world's largest economy and military, it exerts a significant influence on global politics, trade, and security. Furthermore, the U.S. Dollar serves as the world's primary reserve currency, profoundly affecting global trade and finance.

American media, technology, and values also play a pivotal role in shaping global opinions and fostering connections between countries. Together, these elements underscore the U.S.'s unique position in external affairs.

Three Types of Governments

# Federal Government - United States of America (e.g., Government of India)

# State Government - Individual States in America (e.g., State Government of India)

# Local Government - Individual Towns within States (e.g., District Administrative Governance)

The powers not delegated to the Federal Government are reserved for the States, and these powers are further divided between State and Local Governments.

Federal Government

# Legislative -House of Congress

# Executive - President and Vice President

# Judicial - Supreme Court

The House of Congress consists of two legislative bodies: the House of Representatives (Lower House) and the Senate (Upper House). Each state has two Senators serving six-year terms, resulting in a total of 100 Senators (50 states * 2 Senators) in the House of Congress. Additionally, each state has a House of Representatives with a two-year term, determined based on the proportion of the population in each state. This arrangement totals 435 House of Representatives seats, along with 6 non-voting members representing Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and Washington, D.C., in the House of Congress.

Congress members are directly elected by the citizens of individual states. The President and Vice President are not directly elected by the citizens. Instead, they are elected by electors through an ingenious method called the Electoral College, which consists of 538 electors from different states. A majority of 270 electoral votes is necessary to elect the U.S. President.

State Governments

# Legislative - State Legislature

# Executive - State Governor

# Judicial - State-Level Court

The State Legislature consists of two legislative bodies: the House of Representatives (known as the House of Delegates in some states) as the Lower House and the Senate as the Upper House. Senators typically serve four-year terms, while the House of Representatives serves for two years. Members of the legislature are directly elected by the citizens of each respective state. Local governments are part of state governments, with individual administrative governance at the county and municipal levels.

Election System

The United States incorporate a federal system to elect its president, via the Electoral College. Individuals exercise their right to vote for electors who are committed to a certain candidate, and the number of electoral votes allocated to each state is determined by its population. Typically, the candidate who secures the majority of votes from the general public in a state is awarded all of its electoral votes. For a candidate to win the presidency, a candidate must obtain a minimum of 270 electoral votes, which constitutes a majority. Although the majority of states stick to a winner-takes-all system, just a few of states split electoral votes proportionally. It is important to acknowledge that paper voting remains common in the United States, thereby enhancing the security and tradition of the electoral process.

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia) serves as the capital of the United States, making it the world's most important political capital. It was named after George Washington, one of the founding fathers of the U.S. However, D.C. lacks representation in Congress, designed as a federal district under the U.S. Constitution, which excludes it from being a part of any U.S. state. Activists in D.C. advocate for voting representation in Congress, sharing similar struggles with territories such as Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.

In the early 2000s, D.C. began displaying the phrase 'Taxation Without Representation' on license plates, later changing it to 'End Taxation Without Representation.' This slogan on D.C. vehicles highlights that residents pay federal taxes like those in all U.S. states but lack voting representation in Congress. The fight in D.C. is for voting rights and self-governance, aligning with the model of the 50 states. This can only be achieved if D.C. attains the status of the 51st state in the U.S.

Some argue that the founding fathers didn't intend for D.C. statehood, citing the 1787 constitution. However, I contend that the same constitution, under Article V, grants Congress the power to change laws based on the evolving needs of the community. As times change, so must we, and the voices of D.C. residents should be heard in the pursuit of making D.C. the 51st state.

NASA

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union dominated military and space research until the early 1960s. NASA, founded in 1958, aimed to enhance U.S. space exploration. The Apollo 11 mission in 1969, led by NASA, achieved the first Moon landing with Neil Armstrong. Since then, NASA has spearheaded global space endeavors, persistently advancing scientific discovery and technological innovation in its quest to comprehend the universe.

Conclusion

The United States is a Super Power that dominates the modern world for four main reasons:

# The U.S. Constitution was structured to enhance the well-being, prosperity, intelligence, and self-sufficiency of its citizens based on economic growth.

# The U.S. asserts its Super Power status by exercising control over both the airspace and maritime domains.

# Often called a "melting pot", the U.S. is constructed on a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and ancestries rather than a common ancestry, as in many other nations.

# The U.S. dollar governs international business and related transactions.

In conclusion, it can be deduced that European nations, especially Britain, dominated the ancient world through colonization, whereas the United States of America is ruling the modern world through globalization. Here, 'way of doing things' refers to strategic plans aimed at sustaining Super Power status across politics, science, religion, and business.