The Founding Era

In class, we talked about the Founding Era that occured from 1619-1808, and its relevance, as well as its importance, to the first amendment. In 1619, there were two major things that occured to note take note of. First, the founding of Jamestown took place. Second, the first slave trade begins. 1776 brings us to the Declaration of Independence and Revolutionary War. When the colonists won the war, all complaints listed in the Declaration were addressed with solutions in State Constitutions. 

When creating american democracy, the colonists wanted to insert certain things to keep the new government, whatever it may be, from ever gaining too much power. They wanted the state and federal governments to have a give and take system, creating a limited government. They also created enumerated powers, which consisted of a stated list of certain powers. If the power is not on there, the government does not have it. In 1782, the Articles of Confederation were created as a first attempt at a Constitution. With this, state governments would have a lot more power, and the federal government must share. The idea of federalism internally divided the government and the state, creating vertical checks and balances. With the failing of the Articles, the federalists created Constitution that would become hard to change. With this, the anti-federalists wanted to ensure the rights of the people, so they wanted to include the Bill of Rights. With this comes the first amendment, ensuring freedom of speech. This is important because it ensures the right of the people to say what they want about whatever they want. In 1878, 3 compromises were created: the 3/5ths compromise, 20 year rule, and the fugitive slave clause. In 1803, the results of Marbury vs Madison led to judicial review, which gives the Supreme Court power to review all actions of department and are able to deem them constitutional or not. When the slave trade ended in 1808, the Founding Era came to an end as the Civil War era started.