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What was the primary concern regarding republicanism in America?
What was the primary concern regarding republicanism in America?
All state governments adopted a system of popular rule immediately after independence.
All state governments adopted a system of popular rule immediately after independence.
False
What did the Declaration of Independence signify regarding equality?
What did the Declaration of Independence signify regarding equality?
Equality of opportunity
In the late 1770s, a significant change in Massachusetts was the strengthening of the __________.
In the late 1770s, a significant change in Massachusetts was the strengthening of the __________.
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Which of the following states had a popularly elected house?
Which of the following states had a popularly elected house?
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Match the following concepts with their corresponding descriptions:
Match the following concepts with their corresponding descriptions:
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All states made significant moves away from slavery after the Revolution.
All states made significant moves away from slavery after the Revolution.
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Who were the key figures involved in creating the continental impost?
Who were the key figures involved in creating the continental impost?
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What was one of the concerns that Southern states had regarding trade regulation?
What was one of the concerns that Southern states had regarding trade regulation?
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James Madison believed that a large republic would be more likely to cultivate tyranny.
James Madison believed that a large republic would be more likely to cultivate tyranny.
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Which document required nine of the thirteen states to ratify the Constitution?
Which document required nine of the thirteen states to ratify the Constitution?
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The first ten amendments to the Constitution are known as the __________.
The first ten amendments to the Constitution are known as the __________.
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Match the following figures with their roles or beliefs:
Match the following figures with their roles or beliefs:
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How many amendments were initially proposed to create a Bill of Rights?
How many amendments were initially proposed to create a Bill of Rights?
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The Articles of Confederation required a simple majority for ratification.
The Articles of Confederation required a simple majority for ratification.
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What was one of the main financial strategies proposed by Alexander Hamilton?
What was one of the main financial strategies proposed by Alexander Hamilton?
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The Judiciary Act of 1789 specified rules surrounding the __________.
The Judiciary Act of 1789 specified rules surrounding the __________.
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Which group opposed the ratification of the Constitution?
Which group opposed the ratification of the Constitution?
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The first elections under the Constitution took place in 1789.
The first elections under the Constitution took place in 1789.
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Which two figures supported the Federalist cause by writing The Federalist Papers?
Which two figures supported the Federalist cause by writing The Federalist Papers?
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The compromise regarding the slave trade in the Constitution allowed the trade to continue for __________ years.
The compromise regarding the slave trade in the Constitution allowed the trade to continue for __________ years.
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What was one of the fears expressed by Antifederalists?
What was one of the fears expressed by Antifederalists?
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What was one of the main demands of Shays' Rebellion?
What was one of the main demands of Shays' Rebellion?
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The Articles of Confederation allowed Congress to levy taxes.
The Articles of Confederation allowed Congress to levy taxes.
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Who presided over the Philadelphia Convention?
Who presided over the Philadelphia Convention?
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The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 established a single __________ territory.
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 established a single __________ territory.
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Match the following plans with their characteristics:
Match the following plans with their characteristics:
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What did the Treaty of Greenville accomplish?
What did the Treaty of Greenville accomplish?
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The Articles of Confederation ended in 1789 due to its success.
The Articles of Confederation ended in 1789 due to its success.
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What was the significance of the ⅗ compromise?
What was the significance of the ⅗ compromise?
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During the late 1780s, farmers demanded __________ currency.
During the late 1780s, farmers demanded __________ currency.
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Which group was particularly upset by the treaty with Spain in 1786?
Which group was particularly upset by the treaty with Spain in 1786?
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Edward Randolph presented the New Jersey Plan.
Edward Randolph presented the New Jersey Plan.
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What was a key failure of the Articles of Confederation?
What was a key failure of the Articles of Confederation?
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The __________ of Confederation consisted of the national governing body established in 1777.
The __________ of Confederation consisted of the national governing body established in 1777.
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Which event motivated George Washington to support the need for a national government?
Which event motivated George Washington to support the need for a national government?
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The Confederation was able to maintain peace and enforce treaties with foreign nations.
The Confederation was able to maintain peace and enforce treaties with foreign nations.
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What led to the quick collapse of the rebellion mentioned in the content?
What led to the quick collapse of the rebellion mentioned in the content?
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Hamilton was in favor of a plan to divide bonds between original owners and speculators.
Hamilton was in favor of a plan to divide bonds between original owners and speculators.
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Who led the response of militiamen during the rebellion?
Who led the response of militiamen during the rebellion?
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The plan to adopt a national bank passed in the year __________.
The plan to adopt a national bank passed in the year __________.
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Match the following treaties with their outcomes:
Match the following treaties with their outcomes:
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Which faction primarily opposed the federalists?
Which faction primarily opposed the federalists?
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Federalists and Republicans recognized each other's right to exist during the first party system.
Federalists and Republicans recognized each other's right to exist during the first party system.
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Which president warned against foreign influence during his farewell address?
Which president warned against foreign influence during his farewell address?
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Republicans believed in an agrarian republic where citizens would be independent __________.
Republicans believed in an agrarian republic where citizens would be independent __________.
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What was the public reaction to Jay's Treaty?
What was the public reaction to Jay's Treaty?
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Hamilton was the Secretary of State when he negotiated Jay's Treaty.
Hamilton was the Secretary of State when he negotiated Jay's Treaty.
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What were the Federalists' feelings towards the French Revolution?
What were the Federalists' feelings towards the French Revolution?
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The Republican party was primarily centered in __________ areas.
The Republican party was primarily centered in __________ areas.
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Match the key figures with their respective political alignments:
Match the key figures with their respective political alignments:
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What was a result of the XYZ affair?
What was a result of the XYZ affair?
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The Alien and Sedition Acts were aimed at protecting the rights of immigrants.
The Alien and Sedition Acts were aimed at protecting the rights of immigrants.
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What was the name of the resolution plan created by Republicans to counteract the Alien and Sedition Acts?
What was the name of the resolution plan created by Republicans to counteract the Alien and Sedition Acts?
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Adams' administration faced significant opposition from the __________ party, which believed he was becoming a tyrant.
Adams' administration faced significant opposition from the __________ party, which believed he was becoming a tyrant.
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Match the following individuals with their associated actions during the crisis with France:
Match the following individuals with their associated actions during the crisis with France:
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What was a key theme of the Election of 1800?
What was a key theme of the Election of 1800?
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The conflict with France had no lasting impact on American political divisions.
The conflict with France had no lasting impact on American political divisions.
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What was the outcome when the votes were counted for the Election of 1800?
What was the outcome when the votes were counted for the Election of 1800?
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Congress authorized American ships to capture French vessels during the __________.
Congress authorized American ships to capture French vessels during the __________.
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What was one major impact of the Alien and Sedition Acts?
What was one major impact of the Alien and Sedition Acts?
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Study Notes
Republicanism
- America's founding principle: Power resides with the people, not a single authority.
- Ideal: Small, independent landowners.
- Equality of opportunity, though not fully realized. White people held greater privilege; women were largely marginalized; and Native Americans faced ongoing displacement.
State Governments
- State constitutions creation: States either adopted existing or created new constitutions.
- Key principles: Written rules; limited executive authority.
- Legislative structure: Most states had a bicameral legislature, with an upper house representing elites and a lower house elected by the people.
- Property requirements for voters.
- Constitution writing changed: Shift from legislatures to constitutional conventions for drafting and adoption.
- Increased executive power: States strengthened the governor's role (fixed salary, appointment powers, veto).
- Religious freedom: Reduced power of churches; separation of church and state advocated by figures like Thomas Jefferson.
- Slavery: Gradual abolition in some Northern states; continued in Southern and border states.
Postwar Depression
- Economic problems: Debt, insufficiency of currency, and limitations of taxing power.
- Continental Impost: A duty on imports to solve the debt problem, but it failed to be approved and angered the public.
- State war debt: States used taxes on indebted farmers, which stoked farmer anger and demand for paper currency and debt relief.
- Shay's Rebellion (1786-1787): A large farmers' riot led by Daniel Shays demanding monetary/tax relief.
- Military response: State militias put down the rebellion, with some concessions made.
The Confederation
- The Articles of Confederation (1777-1789): The nation's first governing document, establishing Congress as the chief authority.
- Limited powers: Congress couldn't tax, regulate commerce, or draft troops effectively.
- State control: State legislatures retained significant control, particularly concerning Congress's actions.
- Representation disputes: Disagreements over state representation in Congress (population vs. equal representation).
- Western territories: Conflicts over the control and governance of western territories.
- International relations: Failure to maintain international stature, difficult to negotiate with countries like Britain and Spain.
- Northwest Ordinances (1784, 1785, 1787): Established methods for surveying and dispensing land in the American Northwest, leading to conflicts with Native Americans.
The Constitutional Convention (1787)
- Motivation: The Confederation's inadequacies and Shays Rebellion provided pressure for change, and spurred discussions for a new government.
- Convention Details: 55 delegates from twelve states met in Philadelphia to address the weaknesses of the Articles.
- Virginia Plan: A proposal for a national legislature with two houses; representation based on population.
- New Jersey Plan: Proposed a "federal" rather than "national" legislature with equal representation.
- Great Compromise: A bicameral legislature with population-based representation in the lower house; equal representation in the upper house. This also included a three-fifths compromise for the purposes of counting slaves toward the population count.
- Southern slave concessions: Agreement not to tax exports, place a duty larger than $10 per person on imported slaves, and not interfere with the slave trade for 20 years.
The Constitution
- Key contributors: James Madison, pivotal in resolving the sovereignty and concentrated authority issues.
- Sovereignty: Power derived from the people, with the federal and state governments both accountable.
- Federalism: Defined the relationships between state, federal government and their inherent powers.
- Checks and Balances: Separation of powers with limitations upon branches of government.
- Ratification challenges: The Constitution needed support from nine states.
- Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists: Debate surrounding ratification. Concerns included lack of bill of rights.
- Ratification process: Ratification proceeded rapidly, with New Hampshire becoming the 9th state in June 1788.
- Addition of the Bill of Rights: To address anti-federalist concerns over individual liberties and reduce potential for abuse of power by the federal government.
Early Governance
- First elections and presidency: George Washington as the first president; John Adams as vice president.
- Creation of the bill of rights.
- Judiciary Act of 1789: Established the structure of the US Supreme Court.
- Federalist-Republican tensions: early struggles to establish the new nation.
Federalists vs. Republicans (First Party System)
- Federalists: Primarily urban, wealthy interests, supported strong centralized government. Alexander Hamilton as a key figure, advocating for a national bank and debt assumption.
- Republicans (Democratic-Republicans): Rural, agrarian interests, favored more state power and limited government. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison as key figures.
- French Revolution: Differing responses (federalists wary, republicans enthusiastic) fueled party polarization.
- Whiskey Rebellion (1794): A protest in Pennsylvania against an excise tax on whiskey; highlighted the power of the federal government and Washington's role in putting it down.
Maintaining Neutrality
- Foreign policy challenges: Response and response to wars between France and Britain, and conflicts with France that resulted in a very tense relationship, requiring US to maintain neutrality.
- Jay's Treaty (1794): Treaty with Great Britain to resolve disputes and regulate trade. Publicly controversial.
- Pinckney's Treaty (1795): Treaty with Spain addressing borders and trade.
- Washington's Farewell Address: Warned against factionalism and foreign entanglements.
- Domestic conflicts: Problems with France resulted in the XYZ affair.
The XYZ Affair and the War with France
- Undeclared naval war with France.
- Alien and Sedition Acts: Federalist legislation intended to silence republican opposition, and punish anyone who criticized the government. Sparked outrage and raised tensions.
- Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions (1798-1799): Republican responses condemning the Alien and Sedition Acts. Asserting the rights of states to nullify federal laws.
The Election of 1800
- Republican victory: Thomas Jefferson's election marked the end of the Federalist dominance.
- Tie in the electoral college: Congress ultimately chose Jefferson over Aaron Burr, defining a significant point in US political history.
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Description
Explore the foundational principles of republicanism in America, emphasizing the role of people in governance and the evolution of state governments. This quiz covers state constitutions, legislative structures, and the balance of power. Understand how these principles shaped the political landscape of early America.
