The “Founding Era” for the United States of America transformed and established the government we have today through revolution, patriotism, the pursuit of freedom with liberty and justice for all. The beginning of such an era began on a sour note however and could be argued as a stain on the timeline. In 1619, an English privateering ship docked in Jamestown, Virginia, looking to purchase numerous African slaves in exchange for food. English landholders and colonists knew they could take advantage of the slaves as a resource and put them to work in their labour-starved colonies like Jamestown.
Years down the line, tensions between England and the colonists continued to rise leading to the American Revolutionary War and Declaration of Independence in 1776 which affirmed the United State’s decision to fight for their national freedom from England. Colonies were additionally urged to create State Constitutions specific to their state’s popular vote.
By 1782, the Articles of Confederation was written becoming the then 13 colonies’ Constitution. It wasn't until 1783 when the Revolutionary war was over and the Treaty of Paris was signed. Six years later in 1789, the U.S. Constitution was ratified allowing congress to finally convene under a national constitution. In the early 1790s, the Bill of Rights was ratified and the 10 amendments were established. Such an act established the nations positive and negative rights. Positive rights being a U.S. citizen’s right to be helped in situations like healthcare, a fair trial, and a minimum standard of living. Negative rights being constitutional rights which are unable to be interfered with by the government. One 1803 president case which created a doctrine was Marbury v. Madison. The case resulted in the establishment of Judicial Review by the Supreme Court which allowed them to review all actions made by any branch of government and determine their constitutional merit.
It's not until over 100 years later in 1925 when the Judiciary Act was passed allowing certiorari, or the ability for the Supreme Court to be more specific with which cases they choose. This rough timeline highlights key moments within the Founding Era which laid the foundation for governmental practices today within the United States.
No comments:
Post a Comment