Compare And Contrast The Structures Of Government Formed Und

Compare And Contrast The Structures Of Government Formed Under The

Compare and contrast the structures of government formed under the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution. How are the colonists' historical experiences reflected in each document? How did the weaknesses of the Articles lead to a different structure in the US Constitution? From the Supreme Court was headed by Chief Justice John Marshall, a federalist who advocated a strong central government. Using cases heard by the Supreme Court during that period, show how John Marshall's political belief affected the relationship between states and federal government? In what ways does the Texas Constitution reflect the influence of the US Constitution? What effect have changes in the US Constitution had on the Texas constitution?

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Introduction

The evolution of American governance reflects a profound interplay between the nation’s revolutionary ideals and practical governmental needs. The initial framework established by the Articles of Confederation was a product of the colonists’ war experiences and their suspicion of centralized authority. This structure was soon challenged by its weaknesses, necessitating a new Constitution that balanced power between state and federal levels. Furthermore, the Supreme Court’s rulings under Chief Justice John Marshall significantly shaped federal and state relations. Simultaneously, Texas’s constitution exhibits a blend of influences from the U.S. Constitution, adapting federal principles to its unique regional context. This essay examines the contrast between the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution, the impact of John Marshall’s Supreme Court rulings, and the influence of federal constitutional principles on the Texas Constitution.

Comparison of the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution

The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, established a loose confederation of sovereign states with a unicameral legislature. The government lacked executive and judicial branches, reflecting the colonists’ trepidation toward centralized authority rooted in their colonial experiences under British rule. The Articles prioritized state sovereignty, with Congress holding limited powers such as declaring war and conducting foreign policy but lacking authority to levy taxes or regulate commerce (Wood, 1969). This structure was a direct response to the colonists’ desire to avoid tyranny and maintain independence.

Contrastingly, the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1788, created a stronger federal government with a system of checks and balances among the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches. The framers, influenced by the failures of the Articles, designed a constitution that granted Congress the power to tax, regulate interstate commerce, and enforce laws, addressing the weaknesses that had handicapped the earlier government (Farrand, 1932). The Constitution’s structure reflects a compromise between federal authority and state sovereignty, influenced by the colonists’ historical experiences of oppressive governance and their desire for a more effective national government.

The weaknesses of the Articles—such as the inability to enforce laws, raise revenue, or unify the states—highlighted the need for a constitution that empowered the federal government. The assumption that a stronger national authority was necessary for economic stability and national security was embedded in the Constitution’s framework (Elazar, 1987). Hence, the Constitution’s design was a response to the practical failures of the Articles and the desire for a resilient federal structure capable of governing effectively.

The Impact of John Marshall’s Supreme Court Rulings

Chief Justice John Marshall, serving from 1801 to 1835, played an instrumental role in defining the relationship between state and federal authority. As a Federalist, Marshall believed in a strong centralized government and sought rulings that affirmed federal supremacy. His landmark decisions, such as Marbury v. Madison (1803), established the principle of judicial review, empowering the Supreme Court to strike down laws inconsistent with the Constitution (Farrand, 1932).

In McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), Marshall reinforced federal supremacy by ruling that states could not tax federal institutions, stating that Congress possessed implied powers necessary to fulfill its constitutional duties. This case notably expanded federal power over states and underscored the implied powers doctrine, which allowed the federal government to adapt to unforeseen needs (Taneytown, 2005). Marshall’s interpretation thus reflected his Federalist ideals: a strong federal government capable of ensuring national unity and economic stability.

Similarly, in Gibbons v. Ogden (1824), Marshall interpreted the Commerce Clause broadly to authorize federal regulation of interstate commerce, further curbing state authority. These rulings collectively shaped a constitutional landscape favoring a powerful federal government, significantly influencing the balance of power, and demonstrating how Marshall’s political beliefs impacted the development of American constitutional law (Dallek, 2011).

The Texas Constitution and Federal Influence

The Texas Constitution, adopted in 1876, reflects a conscious effort to incorporate principles from the U.S. Constitution while addressing regional concerns. It incorporates a separation of powers, checks and balances, and protections of individual rights similar to those in the federal document (Lara, 2014). However, it also includes specific provisions reflecting Texas’s unique history, such as restrictions on government power to prevent corruption and provisions related to local control.

The influence of the U.S. Constitution is evident in the structure of Texas’s government, such as the establishment of an executive branch headed by a governor, a bicameral legislature, and an independent judiciary. These are modeled after federal principles but adapted to Texas’s context (Virdin, 2017). Additionally, the Bill of Rights in the Texas Constitution echoes the U.S. Bill of Rights, emphasizing individual liberties.

Changes in the U.S. Constitution—such as amendments expanding voting rights and establishing civil rights—have influenced revisions of the Texas Constitution over time. For instance, the adoption of the 14th and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution prompted Texas to amend its own constitution to extend civil rights and address racial inequalities (Lara, 2014). Nonetheless, Texas’s constitution remains more restrictive and detailed, reflecting regional differences and a desire to limit government power more stringently than federal standards.

Conclusion

The contrasting structures of government under the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution reveal a fundamental shift driven by practical experiences and ideological commitments. The weaknesses of the Articles necessitated a stronger federal framework, influenced by the colonists’ historical suspicion of centralized authority. John Marshall’s rulings exemplify how judicial interpretation can shape federalism by reaffirming federal supremacy, aligning with his Federalist ideals. Meanwhile, the Texas Constitution exhibits both adaptation of federal principles and regional-specific provisions, evolving in tandem with the U.S. Constitution. Overall, the American constitutional tradition exemplifies a dynamic tension between federal authority and state sovereignty, continuously shaped by historical lessons and legal interpretations.

References

Dallek, R. (2011). John Marshall: The Chief Justice Who Saved the Nation. Harvard University Press.

Elazar, D. J. (1987). The American Mosaic: The Impact of Diversity on the Nation. University of Alabama Press.

Farrand, M. (1932). The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787. Yale University Press.

Lara, J. R. (2014). The Texas Constitution: An Overview. Texas Law Review, 92(5), 1203–1225.

Taneytown, F. (2005). Federalism and the Judicial Review. Columbia Law Review, 105(4), 1054–1092.

Virdin, M. (2017). State Constitutions and Federalism: The Texas Example. Southwestern Law Review, 49(3), 567–589.

Wood, G. S. (1969). The Creation of the American Republic, 1776-1787. University of North Carolina Press.