Changes

American military, economic, cultural, and political influence increased through the 19th and 20th centuries. Since the mid-20th century, the United States has become a dominant global influence in contemporary economic, political, military, scientific, technological and cultural matters. With the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]] at the end of the [[Cold War]], the nation emerged as the world's sole remaining superpower, greatly influencing world affairs, as it continues to do today.

American military, economic, cultural, and political influence increased through the 19th and 20th centuries. Since the mid-20th century, the United States has become a dominant global influence in contemporary economic, political, military, scientific, technological and cultural matters. With the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]] at the end of the [[Cold War]], the nation emerged as the world's sole remaining superpower, greatly influencing world affairs, as it continues to do today.

==Background - The Politics and Constitution of the United States, and the Role of Religion in Government==

==The Constitution and Politics in the United States==

[[Image:76485685i79.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The drafting committee presenting the [[Declaration of Independence]] to the [[Continental Congress]], painted by John Trumbull 1817–1819.]]

[[Image:76485685i79.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The drafting committee presenting the [[Declaration of Independence]] to the [[Continental Congress]], painted by John Trumbull 1817–1819.]]

Although officially a [[Republic]], since the Presidency of [[John Quincy Adams]],  the United States has been governed by two or more[[political parties]] under the rules of a "Representative [[Democracy]]."  Presently, the two major political parties are the [[Democratic Party]], and the Republican Party.  The younger of the two parties, the [[Republican Party]], was created in 1854.

Although officially a [[Republic]], since the Presidency of [[John Quincy Adams]],  the United States has been governed by two or more[[political parties]] under the rules of a "Representative [[Democracy]]."  Presently, the two major political parties are the [[Democratic Party]], and the Republican Party.  The younger of the two parties, the [[Republican Party]], was created in 1854.

A contentious issue in modern politics is the role of religion in public life and particularly government entanglement in religious affairs.  Some groups that self identify as Republican, or in some cases Dominionist, argue that the US was founded on Christian principles and that the modern US Government should be more lenient with regards to entanglement of Christianity with politics.  Others that self identify as Democrat or Libertarian argue that the Constitution is a secular document which prohibits the entanglement of religion and politics in any way.  Though these divisions are on general level and a particular stance on this issue is not a prerequisite to being a member of either party.  

A contentious issue in modern politics is the role of religion in public life and particularly government entanglement in religious affairs.  Some groups that self identify as Republican, or in some cases Dominionist, argue that the US was founded on Christian principles and that the modern US Government should be more lenient with regards to entanglement of Christianity with politics.  Others that self identify as Democrat or Libertarian argue that the Constitution is a secular document which prohibits the entanglement of religion and politics in any way.  Though these divisions are on general level and a particular stance on this issue is not a prerequisite to being a member of either party.