Columbia

(noun)

A historical and poetic name used for the United States of America and also as one of the names of its female personification.

Related Terms

Examples of Columbia in the following topics:

  • The 23rd Amendment

    • The Twenty-third Amendment to the United States Constitution permits citizens in the District of Columbia to vote for Electors for President and Vice President.
    • The 23rd Amendment would have been repealed by the District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment, which proposed to give the District full representation in the United States Congress, full representation in the Electoral College system, and full participation in the process by which the U.S.
    • State the right extended to residents of the District of Columbia by the 23rd Amendment

  • Devolution

    • The District of Columbia in the Unites States offers an illustration of devolved government.
    • The District of Columbia is constitutionally under the control of the United States Congress, which created the current District government.

  • Manifest Destiny

    • The angel Columbia was an image commonly used at the time to personify the United States.
    • During the era of manifest destiny, many images were produced of Columbia spreading democracy and other United States values across the western lands.
    • This 1872 painting depicts Columbia as the "Spirit of the Frontier," carrying telegraph lines across the western frontier to fulfill manifest destiny.

  • The State Constitutions

    • The District of Columbia (Washington City in the District of Columbia) has a charter similar to charters of major cities instead of having a constitution like the states and territories.
    • The District of Columbia Home Rule Act establishes the Council of the District of Columbia, which governs the entire district and has certain devolved powers similar to those of major cities.
    • Attempts at statehood for the District of Columbia have included the drafting of two constitutions in 1982 and 1987 respectively, referring to the district as the State of New Columbia.

  • Conclusion: The Effects of Westward Expansion

    • Illustrated by the white, blonde, feminine figure of Columbia, the historical personification of the United States, people saw the nation's mission as one of bringing education, modern technology, and civilization to the West and driving away the "uncivilized" American Indians.
    • In John Gast’s American Progress (ca. 1872), the figure of Columbia, representing the United States and the spirit of democracy, makes her way westward, literally bringing light to the darkness as she advances.

  • References

    • Larson (eds. ), Proceedings of the Third Biennial Conference in Natural Resource Education (pp.44-49), Columbia, MO, USA.

  • Preface

    • The book developed from an oft-reinvented course at the University of British Columbia.

  • The House and the Senate: Differences in Responsibilities and Representation

    • The District of Columbia and all other territories (including territories, protectorates, etc.) are not entitled to representation in either House of the Congress.
    • The District of Columbia elects two shadow senators, but they are officials of the D.C. city government and not members of the U.S.
    • The Constitution does not provide for the representation of the District of Columbia or territories.
    • The District of Columbia and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S.

  • Making Your Own Arguments

    • Here is an example of making an argument: "From analyzing the findings, it is clear to us that the hypothesis that improved water conditions are the cause of the increase in salmon population on the Columbia River is incorrect.
    • Instead, the increased salmon population is likely due to the diminishing number of minor waterways, which cause salmon populations to swim in major tributaries, like the Columbia River, despite water conditions.

  • The Powers of Local Government

    • Local government in the United States is structured in accordance with the laws of the individual states, territories and the District of Columbia.
    • The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution makes local government a matter of state rather than federal law, with special cases for territories and the District of Columbia.