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- Jan 8, 2012
Today is Constitution Day, a federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the US Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787. So, it's a good day to reflect on how the Civil War affected the US Constitution. This article from the NY Times by a constitutional scholar sums up the impact of the Civil War on the US Constitution in the areas of:
It's not the intention of this thread to launch a debate on any of these topics (esp. the first two), all of which have been discussed at length elsewhere on this forum. Rather, let's reflect on and discuss how America's epic struggle in the 1860s impacted what is arguably our most important founding document. Also, please do something to celebrate Constitution Day! The National Archives is a good place to start:
- Slavery
- Secession and Nullification
- Money and National Power
- Military Law and Civilians
- Racial Change and the Movement Toward Racial Equality
How the Civil War Changed the Constitution
It wasn’t just the amendments that followed the fighting. The war changed the very way Americans relate to their government.
opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com
It's not the intention of this thread to launch a debate on any of these topics (esp. the first two), all of which have been discussed at length elsewhere on this forum. Rather, let's reflect on and discuss how America's epic struggle in the 1860s impacted what is arguably our most important founding document. Also, please do something to celebrate Constitution Day! The National Archives is a good place to start:
Celebrating Constitution Day
George Washington is about to receive the draft of the Constitution from James Madison in this mural by Barry Faulkner in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC September 17 is designated as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution in...
www.archives.gov
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