The establishment of a federal government in America marked a significant shift in governance following the American Revolution. It created a system that institutionalized the balance of power between state and federal authorities, aiming to unify the diverse states under a central authority. The U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1788, established the framework for this governance, including the separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. This structure fostered a sense of national identity and provided tools for addressing inter-state disputes, taxation, and defense, thereby laying the foundation for the growing complexities of modern federal governance.