The settlement of the frontier has defined American History.
I think that the best answer is Middle East: among the earliest metal tools were tools from Egypt, and also Hittites were early tool makers, some early works were also done in Iran.
Tax the people
could not ensure laws were carried out
could not controll trade between states
Southern state legislatures employed literacy tests as part of the voter registration process starting in the late 19th century. Literacy tests, along with poll taxes, residency and property restrictions and extra-legal activities (violence, intimidation) were all used to deny suffrage to African Americans.