Actually, it is unlikely that Henry uttered those precise words. The phrase was first attributed to him in 1816, more than 40 years after the revolution. Regardless, Henry’s speech encouraged Virginia legislators to provide troops to the Revolutionary War effort, helping to create the Continental Army less than three months later. After the revolution, Henry became the first governor of the state of Virginia.
Thomas Jefferson's presidency had an enormous affect on America's national identity. One of the biggest contributions made by Jefferson was his focus on limiting the size and scope of the federal government. Minimizing the power of the federal government is one trend that other presidents do follow and continue to follow to this day.
The War of 1812 also shaped America's national identity. This war against the British resulted in the US showing their military strength/determination by holding off the British from taking back control of America. This also was the first military conflict against a country after the creation of the US Constitution. This helps to develop the idea that America will be a country that stands up against nations who they feel are threatening our way of life.
<span>Jackson believed that out of all the officials in the federal government, the only one who truly represented all the people was the president. Members of the House of Representatives served only their own districts; senators represented their own states (and were at this time chosen by the state legislatures, not elected directly by the voters); and Supreme Court justices and federal judges were appointed, not elected. As president, then, he felt a special responsibility to protect the people's rights and interests. Jackson also believed that the government should not favor any one person or group over others; that is, it should not favor the few at the expense of the many. This belief contributed to Jackson's decision to veto the re-charter of the Second Bank of the United States, unleashing what came to be called "the Bank War." </span>
1990 is the year the two Germanies reunite to form a united nation.
