[Little Ray]

Actually, the important Amendment was the 14th, after the Civil War. It made everybody citizens of the US, rather than citizens of their state.

[T-Bird45]

Actually, the important Amendment was the 14th, after the Civil War. It made everybody citizens of the US, rather than citizens of their state.

Thus validating Lincoln's statement at the start of the Civil War that he may save the Union but lose the Republic.

[highball]

I’ll go you one better - it began with the Assumption Act of 1790, when the federal government took over state debts.

That gave Washington control over the purse strings, and ensured that the states would always be subordinate.