Anti-Federalists and Section 10 of the Constitution

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Questions and Answers

What was one of the motivations for urban artisans and mechanics to support the Constitution?

They sought to break traditional class allegiances.

They wanted to ensure that the new government could issue paper money.

They wanted to limit the power of the federal government.

They believed their economic interests aligned with those of merchants. (correct)

Which of the following groups is NOT mentioned as supporting ratification of the Constitution?

Urban Artisans and Mechanics

Merchants

Southern Elite Anti-Federalist Leaders (correct)

Federal Securities Speculators

What does the quote from "A Citizen of Philadelphia" suggest about the benefits of a Federal treasury?

It would reduce the power of merchants and other elites.

It would create greater stability for public creditors. (correct)

It would enable the government to regulate trade more effectively.

It would allow states to print paper money more freely.

What does the text suggest about the relationship between the interests of merchants and urban artisans and mechanics?

The interests of these groups were largely convergent. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What point does the author make by citing "Marcus's" adage, "it is the interest of the mechanicks to join the mercantile interest, because it is not their interest to quarrel with their bread and butter"?

Artisans and mechanics were primarily motivated by self-interest. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which state staunchly refused to adopt paper money or debt relief measures?

Massachusetts (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason why South Carolina's land bank system was successful?

The merchants actively supported the paper currency. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the debate over paper money in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey?

Public opinion was sharply divided, and urban merchants were strongly opposed. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the statement "Vox Populi Vox Dei" in this context?

It underlines the importance of public opinion in guiding political action. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase "legal tender" refer to in the context of this passage?

The requirement for private debts to be paid in specific currency, even without creditors' consent. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main issue driving the conflicts surrounding paper money in the late 18th century?

The differences in economic interests and political beliefs between merchants and debtors. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary difference between the approaches to paper money and debt relief in Virginia and Massachusetts?

Virginia refused to adopt paper money but provided major debt relief, while Massachusetts refused to adopt either measure. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for Georgia's issuance of £50,000 paper emission in 1786?

To address a currency shortage and potentially fund a war. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In which state did a paper emission result in a 'sweeping victory for debtors' according to Merrill Jensen's description?

North Carolina (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a factor contributing to the depreciation of Georgia's paper emission?

It was actively traded in the international market. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How did the legal tender status of paper emissions impact the conflict between debtors and creditors?

Legal tender status forced creditors to accept paper emissions as payment, which could benefit debtors. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason behind the opposition to legal tender status of paper emissions from some segments of the population?

Preference for trading in specie (gold and silver coins) over paper money. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which state's paper emission was initially supported by 'low country residents' and opposed by 'Savannah merchants and mechanics'?

Georgia (D) Signup and view all the answers

How did the management of the North Carolina paper emission contribute to its failure?

The state legislature mismanaged the emission by prioritizing specific interests over economic stability. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following states granted legal tender status to paper emissions by 1786?

New Jersey, Georgia, Rhode Island, and North Carolina (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the symbol '£' represent in the context of this passage?

It represents the pound currency of the specific state being discussed. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the core argument of the General Assembly's paper money leader, Abraham Clark, in favor of legal tender paper money?

It would prevent the state from sinking back into poverty and abjection. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Who held a differing view on the merits of legal tender paper money compared to the majority of New Jersey farmers?

Merchants and financial interests (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the intended purpose of the loan office, as argued by its supporters?

To create a domestic circulating medium for the state. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In what way did the supporters of legal tender paper money argue that it would be beneficial to the state, even if it harmed merchants?

It would encourage the growth of domestic manufacturing and agriculture. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How did the Legislative Council initially react to the loan-office bill?

They rejected it, but eventually passed it by a narrow margin. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was William Grayson's opinion of the New Jersey loan-office bill?

He considered it to be a highly unethical and harmful piece of legislation. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase "domestic circulating medium" refer to?

A stable and widely accepted form of currency within a particular region. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the quote "the people (the majority of the people) bear rule, and it is for them to determine w[h]ether a proposition is unjust" in the context of the text?

It emphasizes the importance of popular sovereignty in shaping government policy. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why was the issue of legal tender paper money so divisive in New Jersey?

Because it pitted the interests of rural farmers against the interests of urban merchants. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea of the text?

The debate over legal tender paper money had a significant impact on the development of the United States. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the Convention's stance on state paper money and debt relief?

The Convention rejected the idea of states actively managing state economies. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, why was the decision to strip states of the power to issue paper money a relatively small gamble?

The Convention had strong public support for the decision. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding public support for paper money and debt relief during the ratification debates?

While there was public support for paper money and debt relief, it wasn't a deciding factor in the ratification process. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the correlation observed between geographic areas and support for paper money?

Areas with significant support for paper money were more likely to oppose the Constitution. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of dividing the analysis of ratification into two parts: Rhode Island and North Carolina versus the remaining states?

Rhode Island and North Carolina's rejection of the Constitution due to the paper money issue highlights its importance. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the passage explain the opposition to the Constitution in Rhode Island?

The opposition in Rhode Island was solely based on public opinion about the paper money issue. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main point of the passage?

The Convention's decision to prohibit state paper money was a significant factor in the ratification debates. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main argument used by North Carolina and Rhode Island in rejecting the Constitution?

They objected to the Constitution's limitations on state power. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How did the Convention's decision on paper money differ from their stance on other issues like voting qualifications?

The Convention decided to leave voting qualifications to states, unlike the paper money issue. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the Constitution did Anti-Federalists challenge most persistently and publicly?

The prohibition on state paper money (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Anti-Federalists' Toughest Challenge

The article examines the Anti-Federalists' opposition to Section 10 of the US Constitution, specifically regarding paper money and debt relief.
Historians disagree on the significance of economic factors in the ratification of the Constitution.
Some argue that economic forces, particularly the interests of creditors, significantly influenced the outcome.
Others emphasize social, generational, and ideological factors in explaining ratification.
The author analyzes the role of paper money and debt relief issues in the context of Anti-Federalist arguments against the Constitution.
The article revisits the role of paper money issues in the ratification debate, arguing it was a significant factor.
The author contends that the opposition to Section 10 was rooted in the deep divisions over economic policies of the time.
Anti-Federalist responses to Section 10 varied significantly.
The author challenges the notion that anti-Federalists were unified in their opposition to Section 10.
Anti-Federalist positions varied based on local circumstances and priorities.
Anti-Federalists' concerns about paper currency and debtor relief played a significant role in their opposition, particularly in states such as Rhode Island where the issue was highly contentious.
Some Anti-Federalists felt that Section 10 violated the principles of republicanism and democracy.
The debate over Section 10 was deeply intertwined with broader concerns about state sovereignty and the balance of power between the states and the federal government.
The response from many Anti-Federalists was fragmented and diverse in different states and not unified as one major issue.
The author highlights differing interpretations of Anti-Federalism and the role of economic factors in the ratification process.

Paper Money and Debt Relief in Early America

In the mid-1780s, several American states actively managed their economies to deal with financial instability after the Revolutionary War.
Many states issued paper money and implemented debtor-relief measures
Some historians argued these measures were beneficial
Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution prohibited states from issuing paper money or providing debtor relief.
This significantly altered the balance of power in favor of moneyed interests.
Colonial paper money issuance, often referred to as "currency finance" and "colonial loan-offices," existed in various forms.
Some forms involved government borrowing, while others focused on loans by colonial banks.

Ratification Debates

The debate over the Constitution varied greatly across states, revealing differing priorities among Anti-Federalists.
In states like Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey, paper money and debt issues were highly contested but the majority support toward the Constitution did not change.
Rhode Island's extreme use of paper money and debt relief laws proved particularly controversial, garnering widespread criticism among other states.
Concern about the abuse of popular power and its implications for republican government was significant. This concern shaped reactions against extreme actions.
The author suggests that Federalists exploited Anti-Federalists' differing perspectives and divided loyalties.
Section 10 of the Constitution was a central point of contention during ratification debates.
There were significant disagreements among historians over how much weight to give to economic factors in interpreting the ratification process.

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Description

This quiz explores the Anti-Federalists' challenges related to Section 10 of the US Constitution, focusing on their opposition to paper money and debt relief. It delves into the economic, social, and ideological factors that influenced the ratification debates. Test your knowledge of the key arguments and historical context surrounding this significant issue.