He was smart he well educated , exceptionally bright , and well read
The Wilmot Proviso prevented new states from becoming slave states, the compromise enabled them to become slave states if popular sovereignty wanted them to be. California was allowed to become a new, non-slave state, and in return Slavery was enabled and allowed in the south, strengthening fugitive laws even more. To everyone it seemed like a victory for a while.
Following the war art generally moved away from realistic to "interpretational", since many artists were beginning to challenge the status quo of art that had existed for hundreds of years prior.
The system of checks and balances is the American Federal Government's way of ensuring that each branch has its own responsibilities but also has responsibilities, limits, and obligations as it pertains to the other branches of government.
This has worked well for most of the country's history but since the 1930s, the Presidency/Executive branch has become the branch that is possibly more powerful than the rest, especially in the minds of the people.
This is seen in the modern era, with the Presidency leading legislative pushes and leading their parties representatives in the House and Senate.
To fix this, the first step would be for the Senate to regain its authority when it comes to Foreign Affairs. Starting in the 1950s, the Executive branch used legal but suspect schemes to circumvent Congress' singular right to Declare war.
So, for the last 17 years, America has been fighting a war on terrorism without a Congressional declaration of war. The last time Congress declared war was in 1942, so Korea/Vietnam/Gulf War I/etc. were all accomplished without a Congressional declaration.
What we will need to see if Congress stepping up and acting like a co-equal branch of Government, instead of a branch subservient to the interests of the executive branch.
