Throughout this course, CH American Experiences and Constitutional Change highlights a lot of contradictions between Federal and state government authority, which have repeated over and over throughout history. Issues regarding federal and state authority began back when political parties were being formed in the U.S.; Federalists favored strict interpretation of the constitution and a strong federal government, in control of the states, while Anti-federalists suggested the constitution is open to interpretation and states should be able to govern themselves. There has been friction among the opposing parties and beliefs ever since. One of the significant societal issues that have presented themselves constantly throughout history entails the federal and state debate about slavery. With free states opposing slavery against slave states, it ultimately resulted in the Civil War in America. Another controversial issue that presents itself often is that of abortion and if the choice should be to support pro-life or a woman’s right to choose. It’s demonstrated differently in each state depending on that specific state’s ideals and values, primarily. Although abortion is an existing problem still today, abortion was at first, federally illegal. Some states believed that abortions should still be an option for women, however, states are recently making threats and attempts to rebanning abortion. between them. In an even more current sense, within the last three years, in fact, California has gone ahead and raised the age of tobacco consumption to 21, opposing the federal law stating that the age to consume tobacco in America is 21. Having certain things, like tobacco, abortions, and slavery be legal in one place, but not in the next place over can easily cause confusion, distress, and detriment to the public.
In the 18th and 19th Centuries, the abolishment of slavery in some states was welcomed while other states refused to give up their rights as slaveowners. This obviously led to some debate between the state and federal governments, who initially made it ok for some states to exercise slavery while others, had the option to be a free state, where slavery was illegal. If and when a “free state” was added to the Union, the only option for the next state to enter had to be a “slave state”, which at least sorted and organized the Nation at the time. This was how the Nation scraped by for a while, until Lincoln had enough, and issued the Gettysburg Address to the people. This Address made it ‘rebellious’ for any state to continue exercising slavery and to be booted when caught. Lincoln also reiterated this in his speech at the Gettysburg Address that ‘ALL MEN ARE EQUAL’. The inability of both state governments and the federal government, resulted in the Civil War, as neither side could ever agree. The government wasn’t giving the states or the public a chance to exercise the freedom that was supposedly promised in the Declaration of Independence. This led to Government restriction, debated in states with decreased power, ultimately giving individual people and states the freedom that they needed.
Another issue that may not have completely itself, fixed up in today’s society is women’s rights, mainly abortion, and the women’s choice to do what she may to her own body without laws excluding her freedom. When settling into the new nation, women were seen to be limited to the house and housekeeping which included controlling and feeding the children, as well. At first, women seemed to adopt this ideal and had no quarrel with it, whatsoever. On the other hand, the women who knew they were capable of so much more than cooking and cleaning addressed the problems that women faced in “The Feminine Mystique” and ‘The Problem that Has No Name’. This ‘Problem’ was directed at the women who wanted to be more of an individual, become educated, or whatever they choose. This has been a problem since before Roe v Wade(1970) in which women ultimately gave women the protection of freedom in if that woman may now have a chance to choose if she wants to keep the baby or not. Before Roe v Wade, women would either use coat hangers or have themselves or someone else hit them in the stomach, along with many other horrendous options which could all very simply be solved by giving them the choice and control over their own bodies. Unfortunately, this problem is not resolved and is breaking headlines almost every week in the present day; 2019. Women may have abortions, but they may not have them in many circumstances, ironically not giving women their promised rights. Women can have abortions if they are raped or if the interaction is incestual, but they may not have them when they please, meaning they cannot have them for unexpected pregnancies. Abortion is federally legal, however, it is only possible in certain states with consequences waiting for them when they arrive back in their home state.
In a more recent political debate between federal and state governments, is the topic of tobacco consumption and what age is a good age to let these individuals buy tobacco products, if they please. Recently in California, the age to buy tobacco products, cigarettes, etc went up from 18 to 21 years of age, sparking much displeasure in California, along with the other states that experienced this new boundary. Of course, this displeasure sprouted from those already over the age of 18 years old, who are legal adults that may have previously bought cigarettes and developed an addiction, which now they cannot satisfy. Now, individuals in California and these other states may be forced to serve in the military, yet they can’t buy a pack of cigarettes from the store. People over the age of 18(adults) are, in a way, depriving them of their 1st Amendment, Freedom of Speech and Petition. These young adults aren’t in a position to move around in Congressional conversations, nor can they speak about their problems and have their problems heard and feelings reciprocated. This is just another example and a more modern example where federal interference blocks off young adults, which seems uncharacteristic of the United States.
Throughout this essay, I have shown you how history repeats itself politically between Federal and State Governments. Whether it be back in times of slavery, or currently relevant controversial issues like women’s rights/abortions, as well as young adults’ rights. African Americans, women, and young adults/children are often the most exploited groups of people in the world, and the aforementioned issues surrounding Federal versus State authority prove that history repeats itself and minority groups will continue to suffer the most from it.