Author Insight Video

Transcript

One of the most powerful themes in the American experience is the continuing need to balance the power and authority of the federal government against the power and authority of the states. States’ rights are a very important principle embedded in the American government. This was true from the very start and it continues to be a very important theme today.

During the revolution, in fact, the colonies had to convert themselves into states. They had to create state governments in the middle of a revolutionary war. Those governments were asked by the Confederation Congress to provide supplies and material and finances to support the war effort. But there was no means of enforcing that and it was chaotic.

It was also chaotic after the war. States developed their own policies regarding trade and commerce. Each state was allowed to create tariffs for imports coming into those states. So, from the point of view of foreign exporters such as the British or French trying to sell goods in America, it was very fragmented for them to have to deal with thirteen different states developing different policies related to imports.

The weaknesses of that situation led to a call for a national convention to create a new federal constitution. There were, in fact, too many states’ rights for there to be an effective national government. The constitution was created in order to create a better balance between states’ rights and the federal government. That balancing act continues to be one of the most important themes of American political life.