American Revolution Society Changes

Questions and Answers

What were the Loyalists during the Revolution?

People loyal to the British Crown (correct)

Colonists advocating for British taxes

Supporters of the Continental Army

A political group advocating independence

What was the Society of the Cincinnati?

An elite group formed by Continental Army officers in 1783.

What does primogeniture refer to?

A system of shared property among siblings

A law that promotes female inheritance rights

The first born son receives all of the inheritance (correct)

The idea of equal inheritance among children

What did the Protestant Episcopal Church evolve from?

The Anglican Church. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom?

A law passed in Virginia in 1786 promoting religious freedom. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Philadelphia Quakers achieve in 1775?

Founded the world's first antislavery society Signup and view all the answers

What do interracial marriage laws signify?

The incomplete application of revolutionary ideas. Signup and view all the answers

What was unique about the New Jersey constitution in 1776?

It temporarily allowed women to vote. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Abigail Adams?

The wife of John Adams who encouraged women's rights. Signup and view all the answers

What is civic virtue?

The unselfish commitment of each citizen to the public good. Signup and view all the answers

What does republican motherhood refer to?

The role of mothers in educating their children about civic virtue. Signup and view all the answers

What did Elizabeth 'Mumbet' Freeman do in 1781?

She sued her master for freedom and won. Signup and view all the answers

What is republicanism?

A philosophy of limited government with elected representatives. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Loyalist properties, such as Roger Morris's estate?

They were confiscated. Signup and view all the answers

What is significant about the Brandywine Creek?

It provided power for mills and factories. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Empress of China?

A Yankee ship that traded with foreign countries. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Articles of Confederation?

The nation's first constitution adopted in 1777. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the governing body kept weak under the Articles of Confederation?

People were wary of British oppression. Signup and view all the answers

When was Independence Hall built?

In the 1730s. Signup and view all the answers

What was Thomas Jefferson's stance on the Articles of Confederation?

He supported them despite their weaknesses. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Old Northwest?

The area of land west of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Land Ordinance of 1785 establish?

Old Northwest land would be sold to pay off debt. Signup and view all the answers

What are townships in the context of the Northwest Ordinance?

6 square mile sections established for settlement. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 dictate?

The method of governing the Northwest Territory. Signup and view all the answers

What did Lord Sheffield promote in his pamphlet?

That Britain would regain America's trade. Signup and view all the answers

What actions did Spain take towards America?

Closed off some ports and held disputed territory. Signup and view all the answers

Who was John Jay?

Secretary of Foreign Affairs hoping for government reform. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'King Congress' imply?

Congress is oppressive and tyrannical Signup and view all the answers

What is rag money?

Currency that is becoming worthless. Signup and view all the answers

What was Shays's Rebellion?

A revolt in 1786 by farmers in Massachusetts. Signup and view all the answers

Who led Shays's Rebellion?

General Daniel Shays. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'cement to the Union'?

A call for stability in governance. Signup and view all the answers

Who emerged as a major political figure during the Constitution debate?

Alexander Hamilton. Signup and view all the answers

When did the Constitutional Congress start?

May 25, 1787. Signup and view all the answers

What was Rhode Island's stance on the Constitutional Convention?

It refused to send representatives. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Jefferson refer to delegates as demigods?

Because of their high status. Signup and view all the answers

Who was George Washington in the context of the Constitutional Convention?

The elected chairman known as the 'Sword of the Revolution'. Signup and view all the answers

What role did James Madison play?

He is considered the 'Father of the Constitution'. Signup and view all the answers

What was the threat posed by the Dey of Algiers?

He attacked American shipping. Signup and view all the answers

What was the large-state plan?

A proposal for a bicameral legislature based on population. Signup and view all the answers

What does unicameral mean?

One house in Congress. Signup and view all the answers

What was the small-state plan?

A proposal for equal representation regardless of size. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Great Compromise?

A combination of the Virginia and New Jersey plans. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Gouverneur Morris?

A representative credited with drafting the Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Electoral College?

The body that formally elects the president and vice president. Signup and view all the answers

What does the three-fifths compromise refer to?

The agreement counting three-fifths of slaves for representation. Signup and view all the answers

What was unique about the Georgia state constitution?

It did not forbid the slave trade. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Constitutional Convention?

A meeting to revise the Articles of Confederation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term 'triple-headed monster' referring to?

The three branches of government. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the antifederalists?

Opponents of a strong central government. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the federalists?

Supporters of a stronger central government. Signup and view all the answers

What became known as the District of Columbia?

The federal capital of the United States. Signup and view all the answers

When was the Constitution ratified?

June 21, 1788. Signup and view all the answers

Which states did not agree to ratification initially?

Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island. Signup and view all the answers

What were The Federalist essays about?

They promoted the ratification of the Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

What is a confederation?

A political system with a weak central government. Signup and view all the answers

What is a federation?

Constituting political unity from separate states. Signup and view all the answers

What are checks and balances?

A system that limits the powers of government branches. Signup and view all the answers

What is sovereignty?

The ability of a state to govern its territory. Signup and view all the answers

What is popular sovereignty?

The concept that political power rests with the people. Signup and view all the answers

What is mobocracy?

Lawless control of public affairs by the populace. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'consent of the governed' mean?

The idea that government authority comes from the people. Signup and view all the answers

What are states' rights?

The belief that states can limit federal authority. Signup and view all the answers

What is anarchy?

A state of lawlessness and disorder. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'bundle of compromises'?

The Constitution aimed to satisfy various interests. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Constitution?

The document establishing the present federal government. Signup and view all the answers

What is a section in land terms?

A piece of land measuring 1 square mile. Signup and view all the answers

What is a quorum?

The minimum number of members needed for legislative action. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Annapolis significant?

It was the first place called for a Constitutional Convention. Signup and view all the answers

What is reapportionment?

The process of reallocating House seats every 10 years. Signup and view all the answers

What is gerrymandering?

The drawing of district boundaries to favor a party. Signup and view all the answers

What region is referred to as the Sun Belt?

A region of the U.S. that has grown dramatically since World War II. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Rust Belt?

The manufacturing region in the U.S. that has declined. Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate population of the U.S.?

309 million. Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate population of California?

37 million. Signup and view all the answers

What is Detroit known for?

The motor city and the automobile industry. Signup and view all the answers

Which state has the highest unemployment rate?

Nevada. Signup and view all the answers

What is the citizens committee tasked with?

Drawing fair district lines. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the LA County district supervisors?

Molina, Ridley-Thomas, Yaroslavsky, Knabe, Antonovich. Signup and view all the answers

How many states are needed to ratify an amendment?

38 states. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ERA proposal?

Equal Rights Amendment advocating equal treatment under the law. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Boehner?

The speaker of the House from Ohio. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Loyalists and the Revolution

Loyalists were individuals who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution, with approximately 80,000 leaving America, creating space for Patriot supporters.

Societal Changes and Movements

The Society of the Cincinnati was formed by Continental Army officers in 1783, perceived as elitist and aristocratic by others.
Primogeniture laws, granting inheritance to the firstborn son, were transformed post-Revolution.
The Protestant Episcopal Church emerged as the reformed version of the Anglican Church, adapting after losing its royal connections.
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, enacted in 1786 due to Thomas Jefferson's initiatives, marked a significant step in separating church and state.
Philadelphia Quakers established the first antislavery society in 1775, opposing the trade of "black ivory."

Women's Rights and Civic Duty

Interracial marriage laws emerged alongside abolition efforts, highlighting limitations in the application of revolutionary ideals.
The New Jersey constitution of 1776 temporarily permitted women to vote, showcasing early moves towards women's suffrage.
Abigail Adams famously expressed to her husband the future potential of women to demand their rights.
Civic virtue emphasizes that democracy relies on citizens' unselfish commitment to the public good.
Republican motherhood defined women's roles in educating children about civic virtue, elevating their status as moral guardians of the nation.

Abolition and Notable Figures

Elizabeth "Mumbet" Freeman successfully sued for her freedom in 1781 after being inspired by concepts of human rights.
The philosophy of republicanism stressed limited government and elected representatives accountable to the people.

Governance and the Articles of Confederation

The executive and legislative branches under the Articles of Confederation were intentionally weakened, reflecting public distrust of former royal authority.
The Articles of Confederation (1777) was the nation's first constitution but was limited due to state dominance over powers like tax and trade regulation, leading to its nickname as "Articles of Confusion."

Economic Challenges and Shays's Rebellion

Shays's Rebellion in 1786 highlighted the struggles of Massachusetts farmers, especially veterans losing their farms, igniting fears among the wealthy regarding democratic excesses.

Constitutional Convention and Alternative Plans

The Constitutional Convention, beginning on May 25, 1787, aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation but ultimately led to a new Constitution.
Virginia's large-state plan advocated for representation based on population, while New Jersey's small-state plan called for equal representation.
The Great Compromise blended these plans, resulting in a bicameral legislature with both population-based and state-equal representation.

Key Figures and Influences

Alexander Hamilton became a prominent Federalist leader during the Constitution debates and contributed to the Federalist Papers.
James Madison, known as the "Father of the Constitution," played a crucial role in drafting the document and its amendments.

Ratification and Opposing Views

The Federalist essays promoted the Constitution's ratification, while antifederalists opposed a strong central government, advocating for state independence.
The ratification process saw Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island initially refusing to sign but ultimately conceding knowing the survival of independent states was at stake.

Government Structure and Powers

The Constitution created a federal government with checks and balances to prevent abuse of power, relying on the consent of the governed.
Popular sovereignty emphasized the role of the people in governmental authority, while states’ rights highlighted the balance of power between federal and state governments.

Population and Demographic Changes

The U.S. population was approximately 309 million, with California alone comprising around 37 million, distributing House seats based on this population.

Modern Implications

Issues like gerrymandering and reapportionment emerged in state politics, influencing representation based on census results.
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) aimed to establish equal rights regardless of gender but faced challenges in state ratification.

Conclusion

The Constitution remains a living document, subject to amendment and re-interpretation, reflecting the evolving values and demographics of the nation.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the complexities of the American Revolution, focusing on the Loyalists, societal changes, and evolving rights. This quiz highlights key movements such as the Society of the Cincinnati and the growth of religious freedom, alongside the burgeoning push for women's rights and abolition. Discover how these elements intertwined to shape modern America.