Arizona's history is long and complex, even before statehood. This article will discuss Arizona's illustrious cultural, social, and political history. Let's start with a look at Arizona's ancient history to see where our nation's first people came from and where they stand on a more modern political platform within their tribal governments. Next, Arizona's political branches, followed by local and county governments, and finally Arizona's modern constitutional controversies. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original EssayIn 2018, Arizona is facing many problems. With all of this, it can be easy to forget the rich history of Arizona and the fact that many modern issues date back thousands of years. Many archaeologists have long believed that the first inhabitants of North America were those who crossed Beringia, a massive land bridge created during the last ice age. According to the Clovis-First theory, once these travelers set foot in North America, they spread throughout the continent, including Arizona (Sheriden, 12). They lived prosperously for centuries, then the Spanish arrived. In addition to new diseases, many of these indigenous peoples faced both physical violence and political violence. In response to their intrusion, many Native Americans fought back. In 1786, Viceroy Bernardo de Gálvez ordered his troops in Arizona (he was in New Mexico) to marry natives who agreed to stop fighting with "defective firearms, alcohol in string and other products likely to make them militarily and economically dependent on the Spanish.” », (Sheriden, 48 years old). It was just one of many atrocities that Native people in Arizona and across the country faced. The U.S. government, since the Revolutionary War, had negotiated on behalf of Native Americans, but they were not U.S. citizens (Krutz, 177). They had little to no representation for themselves and were forced to face widespread brutality and the erasure of their culture. In 1821, Mexico gained independence from Spain. But this independence will not last long. The United States waged war against Mexico in May 1846, primarily because of the Mexican government's refusal to secede from the territories of California and New Mexico (Sheriden, 60). Thomas Sheriden states: “Arizona was never an issue in the conflict. Rather, most Anglo-Saxon pioneers and politicians viewed it as a wasteland, a desert, an Indian-infested obstacle between Santa Fe and San Diego. Several American military expeditions passed through the region on their way west, but they did so as quickly as possible and none of them stayed” (Sheriden, 60). Despite this, the United States received much of modern Arizona land (north of the Gila River) with the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo (Leshy, 7.8). The United States agreed with the intention that "the Mexican-American inhabitants of the newly acquired lands" would be incorporated into the Union of the United States and would be admitted at the appropriate time (to be judged by the United States Congress) to the enjoyment of all the rights of citizens of the United States” (Moussalli, 10 years old). In the 1950s, Mexican Arizona faced violence from gold-hungry 49ers, raids by Apache Indians, and cholera epidemics (Sheriden, 65). On June 29, 1854, the United States Congress ratified the Gadsden Purchase and therest of Arizona became American territory (Sheriden, 65). In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Anglos were the predominant (voting) population in Arizona. The arrival of railroads and better transportation allowed more Arizona workers to work in the territory's thriving mines. In 1870, Arizona's population was 10,000; in 1890, it reached 88,000 inhabitants and, in 1930, 436,000 people (Moussalli, 29 years old). Additionally, Anglos during this period were Democratic, keeping the majority Republican Mexican population in check. Additionally, in 1909, Arizona Democrats passed a law called the "Voter Qualifications Act...which was intended to disenfranchise Spanish speakers and thereby reduce Republican opposition" (Moussalli, 30). One of the main reasons some Arizonians opposed statehood was financial reasons. Moussalli explains: “The powerful railway and mining companies feared that the creation of a state would impose a high tax burden on them” (Moussalli, 30). Interestingly, Arizona's statehood was mooted by a "fading coalition of populists, progressives, and labor leaders" who realized that their goal of labor organization and tax laws was not could never be achieved until they were a state (Sheriden, 181). Arizona, which is majority Democratic, scared the Republicans in the Senate, not wanting them to send their Democratic representatives. To satisfy both Arizona and the Senate, Indiana Senator Albert J. Beveridge suggested the creation of a new state. This new state combined Arizona and New Mexico, the latter of which had a larger Republican and Hispanic population that would ensure Republicans remained in power. However, Arizona voters decided that this would not be enough, due to racism and ideology, and voted to reject this plan (Sheriden, 181). William Howard Taft finally signed the Enabling Act allowing New Mexico and Arizona to join the Union separately on June 20, 1910 (Sheriden, 182). Shortly after signing the Enabling Act, Arizona Governor Richard E. Sloan began planning for their constitutional convention. . An election was held to elect the fifty-two delegates who would become the framers of the Arizona Constitution (Sheriden, 182). When the Enabling Act was signed, Arizona and New Mexico agreed to send their eventual constitutions to Congress and the president before admission (Leshy, 10). Despite warnings from Republicans that an overly progressive constitution would be rejected, forty-one of the fifty-two delegates were Democrats, largely progressives (Sheriden, 182). They discussed many issues, including "the eight-hour workday, employer liability, workers' compensation, the abolition of child labor, and an anti-injection law" (Sheriden, 182 ). Other topics included: "Religious liberty, polygamy, English literacy, racial discrimination in voting, state jurisdiction over Indian affairs and Indian lands, federal water projects, assumption of territorial debts, the location of the capital, public schools and the management of lands granted by the federal government to the new state” (Leshy, 11 years old). However, they also suggested numerous racist proposals that would ban Mexican workers from working in mines or on state projects because they believed, without empirical evidence, that workers who did not speakno English was a danger to all, the worst was Proposition 91. After two years of deliberations, Arizona was admitted to the Union on February 14, 1912 (Sheriden, 182-185). Arizona still operates under this original constitution, except for 118 amendments to its charter (Leshy, 7). Article III of the Arizona Constitution states: “The powers of the government of the State of Arizona shall be divided into three distinct departments: the legislative, executive, and judicial; and, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, such departments shall be separate and distinct, and no such department shall exercise powers properly belonging to any of the others” (Leshy, 105). Much like our national Constitution, Arizona's delegates believed in the separation of powers. Article IV deals with the legislative branch of Arizona government. The Arizona Legislature, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives, is a bicameral legislature. The legislature lasts two years and always includes two ordinary sessions (one for each year of a mandate). These regular sessions “begin on the second Monday in January each year” (Leshy, 133). Any bill proposed by the legislator must be the subject of three separate readings; after the final reading, the legislature will vote on whether to pass it. The bill, without amendment, must pass the Senate and House before it can be sent to the governor for ratification (Leshy, 137). According to Leshy, “the public policy of the State is entirely in the hands of the legislature, except as restricted by the Constitution” (Leshy, 114). Arizona also made sure to integrate the powers of initiatives and referendums. In Arizona, initiatives must be approved by 10 percent of voters to propose a movement and by 15 percent to propose an amendment to the Constitution (Leshy, 115). A referendum gives Arizona voters the power to “suspend or nullify a law that has not taken effect” (Leshy, 116). Five percent of voters must agree to propose a referendum (Leshy, 116). Arizona's executive branch includes a "governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, and superintendent of public instruction" (Leshy, 149). These seats can be held for four years with a two-term limit. Other agents with executive powers include a state mining inspector, a works council, as well as the state board of education and the university board of trustees (Leshy, 150) . The governor of Arizona is also the commander in chief of Arizona's military forces and can issue pardons (provided the crime is not treason or impeachment). Essentially, the executive branch, and particularly the governor, is responsible for carrying out policies created by the legislative branch (Leshy, 151 and 152). Arizona's judiciary has three tiers: first, the municipal judiciary and courts which operate within limited jurisdiction, second. , the Arizona Superior Court which hears cases throughout Arizona and handles a large number of cases, and finally, the state courts of appeals which handle appeals, primarily from the superior court (https:/ /www.azcourts.gov/AZ -Courts). There is also the Arizona Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in Arizona. The Supreme Court has seven justices who serve six-year terms (Leshy, 168). A chief justice is chosen by his fellow judges and serves for five years (Leshy, 167). Article 12 of the Arizona Constitution defines the organization of county governments. Article 12, Section 3 states that county officers are “a.