Early 1900's United Postal Service Truck |
In the 18th century, America did not have the same technology that they have today, and they did not have the ability to continuously communicate long distance like today. This was critical during many parts of American history such as the Revolutionary War as important messages would arrive to the military or political leaders late. Most mail systems in the 18th century were delivered by horseback riders or private companies with high fees for the average day American.
Portrait of Benjamin Franklin |
The Postal Service was added to the constitution under the listed powers of Congress in article 1, section 8 referred to as the Postal Clause. This clause gives Congress the ability “to establish Post offices and post roads”. This means that congress has the power to control the land that the trucks ride on specific routes to carry the mail and control the building needed to preserve the mail system.
There is a lot of unique history about the Postal Service, it was originally made for mail delivery and communication expansion that connected the 13 colonies for faster communication among leaders. Franklin’s plan for effective mail delivery involved collaborating with steamboats, railroads, and private companies. However, it turned into something bigger that involved citizens as well who wanted to send or receive mail from their relatives in another state or in the military. This system has changed America’s speed and access to communication.
Postal Offices and routes located in the United States in 2020 |
Economic growth and consumerism, since the postal service gave the average American the ability to send letters outside of America as well or expand trading goods and services. For example, if an old man needed to contact his doctor in Canada, he could now with the help of the postal service. Due to this new invention, it created a new demand in what convenience is and helped all types of people have access to services like medical, banks, and other companies. This system has set the trend for technology and new forms of communication in America.
Wealthy Woman writing a letter |
The Postal service even though it aimed to have a faster and effective mailing delivery system, it was still slow and a delayed system. Also, the postal service has never really had competition, which never encouraged them to keep evolving their invention as the world progressed.
There have also been many tragic incidents that involved USPS such as Mail security issues and Drug smuggling. The Postal Service serves all types of people including famous people and political figures which can lead them to danger because their information is public. There was an incident in 2018, where packages were sent to mainly Democratic figures and public critics of Donald Trump. The package contained an explosive device, an envelope consisting of an unknown white powder. Lucky, none of the people who these packages were sent to did not get them and were not harmed. If something were to happen, the USPS would be blamed for this due to their lack of technology that scans for unsafe packages.
Another incident is Covid-19 was a major change for the postal service because it stopped the flow of mail and good due to the concern of the deadly disease spreading more. It shut down communication through mail which was a big blow to the business as people started to use technology more like apps such as Tik Tok, Facebook, and Gmail to maintain communication with friends and family. The Postal Service did not have a decline because of increase of online shopping but it did struggle with keeping Wokers from leaving from being sick or fear of getting sick.
In the present day, the postal Service is suffering again because the Trump administration and a group called DOGE wants to privatize this public company into a business which should concern millions of people. As if this agreement goes through, millions of people will lose access to what the postal service has provided for generations. The postal service is a right to people not a privilege. Think about the elderly who need their medication or college students who want to vote like myself. I would say through this project I have learned so much about the postal service and also through my experience of voting my first time this year as well.
I just turned 18 not too long ago, I always wanted to vote as I have been told how important it is and how it contributes and changes the lives of many people including my own. I remember when I completed my first mail in the ballot as I was far away from home. The postal service was very helpful as I did not know what I was doing for my first time as a voter, but it was a very easy process. That day, I realized how easy and liked how accessible everything without having to pay a fee as a college student was very convenient.
U.S. Postal Service Mail Man |
In conclusion, the Postal Service to sum it up was amazon before amazon, if you wanted to send or receive something then the postal service is your best friend. It was the trend setter before technology and set the foundation of how mail and good companies deliver and give access to their consumers. The postal service changed the flow and speed of communication, giving people of all classes and rural areas the ability to communicate with each other.
Click here to Learn more: USPS Timeline
Fun Fact: I also did a little research of my own by connecting this assignment to stuff we learned in class. The question was, is the Postal Service a negative right or positive right? Negative right is a right that protects you from another individual who tries to take that away. For example, the 1st Amendment protects the freedom of speech, and the negative right would be the freedom of censorship. Then a positive right is the government completing a duty that helps their citizens who need assistance, for example, the department of education. I would argue that the USPS is a positive right because the postal service provides help to citizens who do not have the ability to access the big cities or fees that private companies give to consumers. As well as, voting and receiving medical or goods from faraway places. Who do you think?
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