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This large timespan covers the basic ideologies of our government, as well as how we as Americans used these ideologies to create the government we know today.
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In 1215, following a massive standoff with his serfs, servants, and disgruntled retainers. King John signed the infamous Magna Carta document into English law. This document was a consistent baseline for how the US government was built to run. -
In 1636, the official Pilgrims Code of Law was established by the Puritans in Plymouth colony. This code would serve as one of many foundational inspirations for the modern-day government. -
On July 4, 1776. The United States of America was born through the signing of this momentous document. This document served as the universal message to the world that the USA was forming its own government outside of British rule entirely. Shortly after this, the Revolutionary War was launched. -
On September 26th, 1778, the Continental Congress reorganized the structure of the treasury system. Adding an Auditor, Office of Comptroller, Office of Treasurer, and two Chambers of Accounts. -
On June 11th, 1776, the Second Continental Congress established the committees and delegates that would make up the confederation government. It would take until March 1st, 1781, for the articles to be unanimously ratified. -
"We the People" created the Constitution of the USA in 1787. Since its creation, it has been the supreme law of the entire nation. -
On May 1st, 1788, a massive 85-essay composition made by leaders of the Federalist movement was published to the public. These documents sparked massive debate and division, beginning the construction of political parties in the US. -
During this time span, the primary political party in control of US politics was the Federalist Party. It was also characterized by a strong, centralized US Government. This era lasted from the adoption of the Constitution in 1789, until the election of Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson in 1801.
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On September 24th, 1789, the Federal Judiciary Act was officially signed into law. This act laid the groundwork for basic federal court jurisdiction and established the main foundation for today's court systems. -
On March 3rd, 1791, the first system of internal taxation was established in America. It put a government-enforced fee on liquors and was initially called the "Whiskey Tax." -
On December 15th, 1791, the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution were officially ratified by the states. These were collectively dubbed the "Bill of Rights" and highlight the basic, inalienable rights of American citizens. -
On March 4th, 1794, Congress officially passed the 11th Amendment to the Constitution. The Amendment was put forth as a result of the judicial debacle behind Chisholm v. Georgia. -
On September 19th, 1796. George Washington delivered his 32-page farewell address. In it, Washington condemned the sprouting political parties and encouraged the country to remain unified. -
In June and July of 1798, under President John Adams, Congress passed the Alien and Sedition acts. These acts sparked intense backlash and laid the groundwork for debate on foreign policy for years to come. -
From 1801 to 1861, US politics were dominated by the Democratic-Republican, and the succeeding Democratic Party. This put conservative policy at the forefront of the country.
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In one of his first acts as President, Thomas Jefferson made a massive trade deal with the French. More than doubling the size of the US. -
One of the most influential Supreme Court cases in American history. On February 24th, 1803, the SCOTUS ruled in favor of James Madison, establishing the now-prevalent principle of Judicial Review. -
A landmark SCOTUS case, in which the jurisdiction of the case was up in the air. The Supreme Court ruled that they had jurisdiction to overrule state court rulings. -
A major SCOTUS case, the court ruled in favor of McCullough unanimously. Solidifying the policy of implied powers in Congress. -
In 1820, Congress enacted the Missouri Compromise. Which aimed to balance the interests of Northern and Southern states concerning slavery. -
In 1823, then-President James Monroe issued a sharp warning to European nations not to colonize or get involved in Western affairs. This constructed the policy of isolationism. -
In 1834, SCOTUS ruled in a landmark case that Congress held the power to regulate commerce. Reinforcing the ruling with the Supremacy Clause. -
Another major SCOTUS ruling, which condoned workers' bargaining with their employers. Laid the groundwork for worker unions and strikes. -
On June 15th, 1846, then-President James K. Polk signed a massive treaty with Great Britain. Gaining the territory that would become Oregon in the modern day. -
In 1848, The US went to war with Mexico over major southwestern territory. The war ended the same year with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. -
In 1849, the US government established the Department of the Interior. With the goal of increasing conservation efforts and protecting natural resources. -
In 1850 over the span of a few months, a massive legislation package was passed through Congress. This set of legislation was targeted towards the balance of free state and slave state territory shortly following the Mexican-American war. -
Over the course of about a year, Dred Scott attempted to fight for his freedom in landmark court cases. Unfortunately, SCOTUS ruled against him, making decisions that ultimately were considered major sparkers of the Civil war. -
In 1860, the government established the US Government Printing Office. The source for all of its major publications. -
In 1861, Abraham Lincoln, a rising Republican, was elected President. Resulting in a massive secession effort by states in the South. This, as well as slavery disagreements, was the main cause behind the Civil war. -
From 1861 to 1933, US Politics were dominated by the Republican Party. This placed socially liberal and economically conservative policy at the forefront.