AMERICA AS A WEE TOT

A deep burning for resistance, an unrestrained hunger for battle, and a longing for freedom existed within hearts and souls flowing wildly rampant with both exasperation and radical views. These were the fuels, foundations, essences, and motivations for the creation of the United States of America in 1776. Beginning with British abuses of power, the long, arduous, and formidable American Revolution laid the basis of the new nation. Not only were traditional customs and values exploited by the nation's founders, but also experiences resulting from the innumerous tribulations faced during the years leading up to the momentous war with England. During the country's juvenile period, it demonstrated and displayed each and every typical characteristic of a fledgling nation. Politically, economically, and socially, the United States evolved and mutated invariably on its growth to maturity, stability, and esteemed status. With the immensity of inexperience prevalent in all aspects of the country, it seemed that every affair, foreign, domestic, or otherwise, set a precedent, accomplishment, or milestone. The United States of America can be said to have, quite literally, completely changed since the framing of the constitution.

Before 1789, the United States lived up to its name under the Articles of Confederation as independent states united together by a common unicameral legislature. Crucial and sometimes violent events such as Shay's Rebellion clarified and justified the beliefs of some: that the Articles need a revision, perhaps an entire overhaul. The Philadelphia Convention in 1789 was tasked with the difficult chore. Overstepping their boundaries, the delegates went so far as to draw up an entirely new document in utter secrecy. After a few months of bitter debates, the Constitution of the United States' supporters (Federalists) succeeded in gaining ratification for the radical document. Milestone number one: never before in history had such a major governmental renovation passed so peacefully.

The early republic that existed from the time of the Constitution's ratification until the end of James Monroe's presidential term had the exact appearance of a new nation. "Learning that Spain would give valuable land grants in the lower Mississippi Valley to anyone who renounced US citizenship, the lawyer began visiting Spanish Louisiana regularly to investigate settling there." This quote from The Enduring Vision (p. 207) describing the soon-to-be-president Andrew Jackson magnifies the fragility of the early republic, which is one of many important traits that are inherent in many a new nation.

Another trait apparent in new nations is controversy among the people. During the first two decades of the Constitution, each resolved conflict deepened the gap between political parties and sowed strife throughout the land. More specifically, this controversy hung like a thundercloud over nearly every issue imaginable: equal rights, the removal of Indians from the States to the unsettled regions, the British and Spanish presences in the North and South, respectively, the foreign policies of the first presidents, and the economic policies of Alexander Hamilton.

The third aspect identifying young nations is the colossal amount of precedents set in a little amount of time. The three branches outlined in the Constitution were struggling to define their rights, powers, and duties without any previous examples. "For example, the Constitution gave the president no formal responsibility for preparing a legislative agenda..." (The Enduring Vision, p. 212). Perhaps the most clearly defined and important precedents were the first ten constitutional amendments: the Bill of Rights. Naturally, precedents were also set in the areas of foreign, domestic, and economic policies, as well as the interpretation of the constitution. Foreign policy precedents included events such as the Neutrality Proclamation of 1793, Washington's Farewell Address of 1796, and the XYZ Affair of 1797, in addition to the endless urging and condemning of war by various political figures. Examples of precedents on the domestic turf are the defining of governmental positions, the interpretation of the constitution, and the responses to territorial threats posed by Britain and Spain. Finally, economic precedents such as the Report on the Public Credit, the assuming of state debts by the federal government, and the first National Bank sparked harsh controversy.

During the early years of the United States existence, several key elements defining a new nation were apparent throughout nearly every aspect. Fragility, controversy, and precedents existed in domestic, foreign, and economic affairs. One can conclude that the US was completely transformed during this period, redefining the clichés "starting from scratch" and "back to the drawing board." Had it not been for these numerous factors, the US would never have launched into the massive world power it remains to date, nor into the republic/democracy as we know it.