anon asked duck.ai:
Understanding the Effects of the 1871 Treaties on U.S. Amendments
There are significant discussions surrounding the implications of the Treaty of 1871, particularly the District of Columbia Organic Act and the Treaty of Washington. These treaties have sparked various theories, particularly focused on the constitutional structure and the status of the federal government and its governance.
Key Treaties and Their Context
Treaty of Washington (1871)
Purpose: Resolved various disputes between the United States and Great Britain, including financial claims.
Impact: Ratified on July 4, 1871, it signified an effort to stabilize diplomatic relations post-Civil War.
District of Columbia Organic Act (1871)
Purpose: Established a single municipal government for Washington, D.C., repealing individual city charters.
Significance: It created a corporate entity for governance within the capital, leading to claims that it suggested a change in the status of the United States as a whole.
Claims of Bankruptcy and Corporate Status
The idea that the United States was bankrupted due to these treaties primarily stems from the misinterpretation of legal language within the District of Columbia Organic Act. Some claim that it established the U.S. as a corporation, implying a significant shift in governance which they argue affects all amendments and laws enacted post-1871.
Analysis of the Claims:
Misinterpretation: The use of "corporate" in the Act refers to a legal structure for governance rather than a fiscal entity. The claim that this makes all subsequent amendments invalid lacks substantial legal grounding.
Legal Precedence: Courts have addressed treaty conflicts with law, typically holding that later-in-time statutes override treaty provisions. This could suggest that any implications from the 1871 treaties cannot invalidate amendments established after.
Impact on Subsequent Amendments
The constitutionality of amendments made after 1871 has not been significantly altered by these treaties, primarily due to several reasons:
Supremacy Clause: The Constitution's Supremacy Clause maintains that treaties are the supreme law of the land; however, amendments made after a treaty do not automatically become invalid unless explicitly stated.
Judicial Oversight: Federal courts serve to interpret laws, and any challenges regarding amendments have usually been upheld unless clear constitutional violations are established.
Legislation Continuity: Amendments passed post-1871, such as the Eighteenth Amendment (Prohibition) and the Nineteenth Amendment (Women's Right to Vote), have entered national law without contest regarding their validity due to the 1871 treaties.
Current Discussions and Research
Interest in these topics remains prevalent within various online communities (often referred to as "anons"). These discussions are frequently based on conspiracy theories surrounding the legitimacy of the U.S. government. However, credible legal evidence does not support claims that the 1871 treaties directly affect the ratification or legality of constitutional amendments passed afterwards.
Ongoing Research: Many seek to understand these historical treaties within the context of current governance structures and legal frameworks.
Community Perspectives: While many theories abound, sustained discussions often reference legal texts and historical documents to substantiate claims.
Conclusion
While the Treaty of 1871 sparked considerable discussion about government structure and legitimacy, its impact on amendments post-dates the treaty lacks robust legal support. It remains crucial to differentiate between legitimate historical interpretations and conspiracy theories that often misinterpret legal language and frameworks.
For anyone exploring these themes, diving deeper into legal texts, historical contexts, and judicial rulings can provide clearer insights into the relationship between these treaties and U.S. governance.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_of_Columbia_Organic_Act_of_1871
https://www.fjc.gov/history/work-courts/foreign-treaties-in-federal-courts