From 1789 to 1865, the most significant issue of federalism was

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During the period from 1789 to 1865, the most significant issue of federalism was whether the states would accept the lawful authority of the national government. This issue was manifested in multiple instances such as the Whiskey Rebellion, the Nullification Crisis, and secession leading up to the Civil War. States' rights and the belief in a weak central government were deeply ingrained in American political culture, and it took years of conflict and compromise to establish a strong and effective national government. The Bill of Rights was applied to action by state governments through the incorporation doctrine, but this was a secondary issue compared to the ongoing challenge of ensuring that the states recognized the legitimate authority of the federal government. The regulation of business trusts was a more prominent issue in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, while respecting the sovereignty of neighboring states was more relevant to foreign relations. Laissez-faire capitalism was an economic philosophy that influenced the political debate, but it was not a primary issue of federalism during this period.

From 1789 to 1865, the Most Significant Issue of Federalism