American Political Tradition and Articles of Confederation

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Questions and Answers

What was a major concern of the Anti-Federalists regarding the Constitution?

  • The lack of a strong central government.
  • The absence of a bill of rights to protect individual liberties. (correct)
  • The potential for the government to become too democratic.
  • The power granted to the states in relation to the federal government.

Why was the ratification of the Constitution by Virginia and New York particularly significant?

  • They were the only states that had not already ratified the Constitution.
  • They represented the interests of the Southern and Northern states respectively.
  • They were the two largest and most influential states at the time. (correct)
  • Their ratification ensured the support of the majority of the population.

What was the primary purpose of the Federalist Papers?

  • To explain the process of amending the Constitution.
  • To persuade people to support the new Constitution. (correct)
  • To establish a system of checks and balances in government.
  • To outline the fundamental principles of democracy.

What was the primary reason for the difficulty in changing the Articles of Confederation?

<p>The reluctance of states to relinquish their sovereignty. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why were the first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, added after the Constitution was already ratified?

<p>To appease the Anti-Federalists who had concerns about individual liberties. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors contributed to colonists' growing discontent with British rule?

<p>All of the above. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant event marked the beginning of American independence from Great Britain?

<p>The signing of the Declaration of Independence. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary concern of the drafters of the Articles of Confederation in terms of national government?

<p>Preventing the national government from becoming too powerful and potentially abusing its citizens' rights. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Under the Articles of Confederation, the national government had limited power. Which of the following was specifically NOT a power granted to the national government under the Articles?

<p>Impose taxes. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What key weakness of the Articles of Confederation ultimately led to the Constitutional Convention?

<p>All of the above. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What key change did the Constitution bring to the structure of the national government compared to the Articles of Confederation?

<p>All of the above. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the concept of the social contract influence the colonists' actions during the Pre-Revolutionary period?

<p>The colonists believed that the government was obligated to protect their natural rights, and when this obligation was violated, they had the right to rebel. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason the colonists believed that the British government had broken the social contract?

<p>The British government's interference with colonial self-government. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Separation of Powers

A system where power is divided between different branches of government to prevent one branch from becoming too powerful.

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches, preventing tyranny.

Bill of Rights

A formal document listing basic rights and freedoms that protect citizens from government overreach.

Federalists

A group of influential individuals who supported the ratification of the Constitution and argued for a strong central government.

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Anti-Federalists

A group who opposed the ratification of the Constitution because they feared a powerful central government would infringe on individual liberties.

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Social Contract

A principle holding that governments derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed, and that citizens have inherent rights that governments cannot infringe upon.

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English Liberties

The belief that the colonists were entitled to certain rights as Englishmen, including freedom from arbitrary rule and the right to trial by jury.

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Natural Rights

The belief that individuals possess inherent rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and property, that are not granted by the government but are inherent in their nature.

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Confederation

A weak national government established by the Articles of Confederation, in which states retained significant autonomy and the central government had limited powers.

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Articles of Confederation

An early attempt to establish a national government in the United States, but it was too weak to address the challenges facing the newly independent nation.

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Federal System

A political system in which power is divided and shared between a central government and regional governments, such as states.

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Republic

A form of government in which the people hold power through elected representatives.

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Bicameral Legislature

A legislative body composed of two chambers or houses, such as the US Congress with its Senate and House of Representatives.

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Study Notes

2.1 The Pre-Revolutionary Period and the Roots of the American Political Tradition

  • Colonists initially accepted British rule, valuing their English liberties and limited government traditions.
  • Discontent arose when perceived abuses of these liberties occurred, such as the Proclamation of 1763, the trial of smugglers, and taxation without consent.
  • Colonists viewed life, liberty, and property as natural rights, not gifts from the monarch.
  • The Second Continental Congress declared independence from Great Britain in 1776.

2.2 The Articles of Confederation

  • The drafters of the Articles of Confederation sought to limit national government power, fearing tyranny.
  • States retained significant power to govern their residents, and the national government was limited to declaring war, coining money, and conducting foreign affairs.
  • The national government lacked the power to tax, regulate commerce, or maintain a strong military, hindering its ability to defend the nation or repay debts.

2.3 The Development of the Constitution

  • The inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation spurred delegates to meet in Philadelphia in 1787 to draft a new constitution.
  • This new governing document established a republic with a strengthened national government.
  • Congress became bicameral, and a national judicial system was created, marking the establishment of a federal system with governing power over the entire nation.

2.4 The Ratification of the Constitution

  • Anti-Federalists opposed the increased power granted to the federal government under the Constitution and desired greater protection of individual liberties via a Bill of Rights.
  • Federalists argued for a strong national government, emphasizing that the document would address concerns with a Bill of Rights.
  • New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify the Constitution in June 1788, making it the law of the land. Virginia and New York followed soon after.

2.5 Constitutional Change

  • The Articles of Confederation were difficult to amend.
  • The Constitution established a process for amending the document, requiring a two-thirds majority in Congress and three-quarters of state legislatures.
  • The Bill of Rights, safeguarding individual liberties, was subsequently added as the first ten amendments to the Constitution in 1791.
  • Subsequent amendments addressed important issues like ending slavery, granting citizenship to African Americans, and affording voting rights to all Americans regardless of race, color, or sex.

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