Colonists at the time didn't have the proper resources or tools to match the military superiority of the British, the conditions at the time were harsh, dimming the patriotic spirit which led the revolution in the first place, there's probably more, but that's about all I know.
This depends entirely on the period in question, since prior to the Civil War the states started to gain more power (since many of them actually seceded from the Union), but after the Civil War the federal government solidified its hold over the states.
Pope Urban II was the person responsible for the very influential speech that called for the start of a crusade. He wanted to take back the Holy Land from the Muslims, along with the leader of the Byzantine Empire writing him a letter asking for help. This was a very powerful speech which started the rise of the Crusaders, who Pope Urban II promised if they would fight in this war they would get the remission of their sins, even if they died in battle.
