Constitutional Amendments in United States - Essay Example

? Constitutional Amendments in United s Constitutional Amendments in United s American people have witnessed various changes from the time US incepted a new constitution, which recognized federal government. US constitution is a fabric that holds social issues affecting the people of United States. The functions discharged by the federal government have dramatically from the past to present. These changes have influenced political structures, social structures, and economic wellbeing of the people of America. This essay identifies and describes expansion of authority made by the federal government between the periods when US began its Civil War to end of Civil Right Era. The foundation of federal law is the US constitution. This means that any clause that alters the constitution would influence the powers of federal government in the area altered. The famous Thirteenth Amendment of the US constitution expanded the authority of the federal government through instituting legislation, which abolished slavery. Historians have observed that President Abraham Lincoln had made a public proclamation, which criticized slavery (Kozak, 2011), but the proclamation could not take course because it did not have legal bearing. Analysts have observed that Thirteenth Amended influenced the political structure of the United States because it gave the Congress the authority to institute legislation, which would prohibit slave trade. The historical ruling of the Supreme Court in 1857 had indicated that Congress had no power to regulate slavery (Bardes, et.al. 2011). The Thirteenth Amendment allowed the Congress to take additional measures against ten states that had rebelled against abolition of slavery. Evidently, President Lincoln declaration had instigated uproar from these ten states that did not accept the move to abolish slave trade. Historians have argued that Thirteenth Amendment provided an opportunity for fifteenth and Fourteenth amendments, which influenced the freedom of freed slaves. The amendment influenced the social structure because it gave the slaves the rights to be citizens, and share equal rights as the blacks. However, history indicates that segregation in the American society at that time was rampant; whites had more rights than the blacks (Bardes, et.al. 2011). It is arguable that public opinion and the law might not in alignment in every situation. This indicated that social structures were a long distance to achieve. Economic structures of United States automatically changed because slaves could no longer work in agricultural farms. Farm owners registered low profits; Africans had the opportunity to set their own enterprises. Sixteenth Amendment of the US constitution in 1913 gave the federal government authority to influence taxes levied (Milakovich & Gordon, 2008). This amendment was in response to Supreme Court ruling, which adduced that federal government had no powers to in a specific area to withhold taxes. Taking a political angle towards this amendment, it is evident that the government gained more power. Department charged with taxes in the US has a growing number of staffs following this amendment. The amendment influenced the social structure because many people tried to look for ways to avoid paying taxes. Many people changed their spending attitudes and sought ways to shelter the income. The public became aggressive to know how the government spent their money. Evidently, the government channeled federal taxes to support education, social programs that include healthcare, security, and public projects among others (Milakovich & Gordon, 2008). The taxes levied from citizens contributed towards social growth of the nation. In the economic sector, the amendment led to changes in banking laws. In addition, people got the legal opportunity to keep their earnings in government bonds, retirement benefits, and saving account for Medicare (Wilson, 2011). Corporations got the opportunity to bank their money in foreign banks and lobby for tax holidays by citing various reasons. Economically, taxes influence investment because government can increase or decrease taxes with an aim of attracting investors in a particular industry. Eighteenth Amendment of the US constitution provided for prohibitions, which influenced import or export of beverages that were alcoholic (Kozak, 2011). Federal government had the powers to regulate the kind of food substances that entered or left United States. It is apparent that Eighteenth Amendment gave rice to bodies that currently influence production of food substances, medical substances, and exercising control over the environment. Some analysts have argued that legislations which protect the society against drug trafficking resulted from the amendment. Social structure changed following the approval of Eighteenth amendment. Society witnessed organized crimes, which imported, or exported liquor, black market was rampant (Wilson, 2011). Some companies, which could not abide by the new rule, had to sink into the black market. Socially black trade comprises of cartels, which operate without legal authority from the government. History records that social outcry were evident through media remarks over the new law. The amendment influenced economic structure of the country in two ways; some brewing companies had to shift to other forms of business. For instance, Anheuser-Busch Company shifted to selling products such as yeast, ice cream and other products (Bardes, et.al. 2011), which did not yield much profit. The emergence of black market is another example that indicates the influence of Eighteenth Amendment. Twentieth Amendment in 1933 (Wilson, 2011), changed political landmark of United States of America by influencing terms touching on presidential succession. The twentieth amendment stipulated how newly elected president would assume office. The amendment conferred powers to the representatives to select the president when circumstances are not clear about his election, or when the president dies. The amendment states that in unclear circumstance, the Senate has the powers to elect the vice president. Evidently, the bearing of this amendment affects of the role of the president in the political sphere. Analysts believe that the Twentieth Amendment has hypothetical bearing on the social and economic structures of the United States (Kozak, 2011). Arguably, circumstances that led to this amendment had political implication to the society than to economic or social structures. However, presidency influences both social structures and economic structures of a country. The society observes presidential decrees, thus affecting economic or social bearings of the society. The amendment is hypothetical in economic and social structures in the sense that it does not directly dictate specific move or direction that the society should take. The social impact of the amendment became evident during President Nixon reign when his vice president resigned in 1973 (Wilson, 2011). History records that the speaker of the house during that time took the office of the vice president. In summary, federal government has been able to exercise its authority to the people through amendments of the constitution. Evidently, these amendments influenced political structures by entrenching legislations, which influenced various activities in the society. Economy and social structures depend on legislation of the country. It is evident that various amendments influenced social lifestyle and economy of the nation in various measures. Notably, federal government has been able to meet various demands of the people through these amendments. References Bardes, A. B. et.al. (2011). American Government and Politics Today. The Essentials. New York: Cengage Learning. Kozak, M. E. (2011). The Everything U.S. Constitution Book: An Easy-to-understand Explanation of the Foundation of American Government. New York: Everything Books. Milakovich, E. M. & Gordon, J. G. (2008). Public Administration in America. New York: Cengage Learning. Wilson, Q. J. (2011). American Government: Institutions & Policies. New York: Cengage Learning. Read More