First, in the Civil War, the federal government conclusively proved it was top dog, not the states.
Then, just before World War I, with the 16th (income tax) and 17th (popular vote for Senators) amendments, the federal government obtained a broad funding base and removed the last big hold the states had over it. With the Federal Reserve, established at the same time, the major banks gained control of our money.
Then, during the Great Depression, FDR's fireside chats over the new fangled radio brought the federal government into every family's living room, as a trusted friend, and he greatly expanded the rolls of people depending on the government (e.g., Social Security)
Then during the 1950's, television became the primary conduit of political propaganda, and we could afford finally to send almost everyone to public schools for indoctrination. This led to a bumper crop of Spock babies in the 1960's, who now hold our highest offices, and run our major media and universities.
It takes several generations to turn a free people to slavery. We are well along that path now.
Overthrowing the Brits in 1776 was relatively easy; they had some tens of thousands of soldiers with muskets shipped over a long ocean ride. Overthrowing the current United States of America is not, in any ordinary sense of the word, possible.
Just as I must face the fact that I am getting old and will die in a few decades, or less, I must face the fact that this great nation is getting old and that our liberty will die out, over the next century or two.