Changes

The United States' 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.

The United States' 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 - God,  The Constitution,  and Political Parties==

==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.]]

Since 1788,  the United States has had only one official governing document:  the [[U.S. Constitution]]. All previous documents were superceded by the adoption of the US Constitution.

Since 1788,  the United States has had only one official governing document:  the [[U.S. Constitution]]. All previous documents were superceded by the adoption of the US Constitution.

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.

== The Role of Religion in Government ==

== The Role of Religion in Government ==