The Articles of Confederation became the first official constitution of the USA. The document functioned from the 1781 to 1789 when the existing Constitution was ratified. The last document created stronger centralized government and marked the start of the separation of Democrats and Republicans. Moderate Republicanism became the main political system of the USA in the 19th century. Members of this movement agreed with Lincoln’s ideas about the restoration of the Union with seceded states, but on Congress plans. Moderate republicans could be called a “light version” of ordinary or radical Republicans. I think the Moderate Republicanism (or its prerequisites) was the best philosophy for America to adopt from 1776 to 1800. This choice created a middle ground and an appropriate basis for the country in the late-19th century. Other systems could have worse consequences.
Hamiltonian federalism looked like an appropriate decision for the period of the Industrial Revolution. Alexander Hamilton supported the idea of the strong central government and wanted to develop the USA as a powerful manufacturing empire. Politician’s ideas were close to the existent constitution. However, he was too focused on the British governmental system. Hamilton believed that appointment to life will improve officials work, while short service terms will make them more focused on reelection, not their tasks (SparkNotes Editors). This idea was one of the key factors why the USA should not use Hamilton’s system. Life appointment would have an opposite effect than Hamilton thought. Short service terms would make politicians improve their results to be sure they would be reelected.
Direct National Democracy or plebiscite is appropriate for the USA on local levels. But federal decisions would need a representative system as it is. Direct National Democracy would render null achievements of both Articles and the Constitution in their attempts to make states more equal during votes. Bigger regions would have advantages in law’s choice and other decisions. States’ representation in the government already depends up their size in the case of the House of Representatives. However, the Senate is a more powerful institution and has only 2 votes regardless of the population. In case of the Articles “each state received 1 vote regardless of size” (Feldmeth). Direct National Democracy would only increase the gap between states.
Extreme Republicanism showed it can be too cruel through the example of Jacobinism. “During the Reign of Terror, at least 300,000 suspects were arrested; 17,000 were officially executed, and perhaps 10,000 died in prison or without trial” (“Reign of Terror”). Experts say that about 600,000 to 800,000 people died in wars caused by the French Revolution, and Jacobins played key role in these events. These tolls could be much higher on the USA scale, if the country would choose this system. The size of the territory and relations between its subjects also made Jacobinism an inappropriate choice. Former colonies created a union, but it cannot function as one, indivisible Republic as Jacobinism wanted. There were at least two big “rivals” North and South with different views on slavery and other issues.
It looks like the Moderate Republicanism was the best variant from this list that America could choose for 18th and 19th centuries. The system combined elements from other philosophies that were appropriate for the country. Other choices could cause worse consequences.
Works Cited
Feldmeth, Greg D. “U.S. History Resources: Articles of Confederation vs. the Constitution”. Home.earthlink.net. 31 MNarch 1998. Web. 26 Apr. 2016.
"Reign of Terror". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online.Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 26 апр. 2016<http://www.britannica.com/event/Reign-of-Terror>.
SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on Alexander Hamilton.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2005. Web. 26 Apr. 2016.
