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Questions and Answers
Which issue was primarily addressed by the Three-Fifths Compromise during the Constitutional Convention?
Which issue was primarily addressed by the Three-Fifths Compromise during the Constitutional Convention?
- The regulation of interstate commerce.
- The counting of enslaved people for representation and taxation. (correct)
- The representation of states in Congress.
- The powers of the executive branch.
What was the main weakness of the Articles of Confederation that Shay's Rebellion exposed?
What was the main weakness of the Articles of Confederation that Shay's Rebellion exposed?
- The restrictions on interstate commerce.
- The federal government's inability to suppress rebellions and enforce laws. (correct)
- The federal government's excessive power over the states.
- The lack of a national currency.
Which of the following best describes the representation structure established by the Connecticut Compromise?
Which of the following best describes the representation structure established by the Connecticut Compromise?
- Representation based solely on a state's geographic size.
- A unicameral legislature with equal representation for all states.
- A bicameral legislature with one house based on population and one with equal representation for each state. (correct)
- Representation based solely on a state's economic output.
What was the primary concern that led to the implementation of the Electoral College for electing the executive?
What was the primary concern that led to the implementation of the Electoral College for electing the executive?
Which of these Founding Fathers was a strong advocate for a constitutional convention due to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
Which of these Founding Fathers was a strong advocate for a constitutional convention due to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
Which of the following reflects Thomas Jefferson's view on the strength of the federal government?
Which of the following reflects Thomas Jefferson's view on the strength of the federal government?
What critical power was granted to the federal government under the Constitution regarding interstate commerce?
What critical power was granted to the federal government under the Constitution regarding interstate commerce?
How did the representation proposals of the Virginia Plan differ from those of the New Jersey Plan?
How did the representation proposals of the Virginia Plan differ from those of the New Jersey Plan?
Why was the addition of the Bill of Rights significant to the ratification of the Constitution?
Why was the addition of the Bill of Rights significant to the ratification of the Constitution?
Which statement summarizes the spirit of compromise that shaped the U.S. Constitution during the Constitutional Convention?
Which statement summarizes the spirit of compromise that shaped the U.S. Constitution during the Constitutional Convention?
Flashcards
Three-Fifths Compromise
Three-Fifths Compromise
Agreement where three-fifths of the enslaved population counted towards representation and taxation.
Shay's Rebellion
Shay's Rebellion
An uprising of farmers in Massachusetts protesting tax debt. It showed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation.
Virginia Plan
Virginia Plan
Plan at the Constitutional Convention favoring large states, with representation based on population.
New Jersey Plan
New Jersey Plan
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Connecticut Compromise
Connecticut Compromise
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Annapolis Convention
Annapolis Convention
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Interstate Commerce
Interstate Commerce
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Constitutional Convention
Constitutional Convention
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Electoral College
Electoral College
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Study Notes
- The Articles of Confederation had weaknesses that needed addressing.
- Post-Revolution, the U.S. faced massive debt.
- Congress lacked the authority to coin money.
- Continental and state currencies became worthless.
Shay's Rebellion
- Revolutionary War soldier Daniel Shays led a rebellion due to heavy farm taxes.
- Western Massachusetts farmers faced farm confiscations due to debt.
- Shays' Rebellion, using the words from the Declaration of Independence, aimed to prevent court seizures of farms.
- The rebellion's suppression highlighted the need for a stronger federal government to quell insurrections.
- Thomas Jefferson said "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" regarding a strong federal government.
Annapolis Convention
- A dispute between Virginia and Maryland led to a meeting of five states due to the absence of a central authority to resolve it.
- The convention called for amendments to the Articles of Confederation.
- Alexander Hamilton advocated for a Constitutional Convention to garner broader state support.
- This led to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.
Constitutional Convention
- Held in Philadelphia, it included all states except Rhode Island, which feared a too-powerful federal government.
- Attendees included George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and James Madison.
- Each state had one vote.
- Delegates maintained secrecy to encourage open discussion and voting.
Representation in Congress
- The Virginia Plan proposed representation based on population, favored by large states.
- The New Jersey Plan advocated for equal representation for all states.
- The Connecticut Compromise established a bicameral legislature: one house based on population and one with equal representation per state. It is what we have today.
- Both houses are directly elected by the people.
Slavery
- The issue of how to count enslaved people in state populations was present.
- â…— Compromise: three-fifths of the non-free population would be added to the total population of free people.
- The Constitution did not explicitly mention slavery or slaves.
- Slave states gained disproportionate representation.
Powers of the Executive
- There was concern about creating a chief executive with excessive power, given the experience with Britain.
- The president would be elected by an Electoral College.
Interstate Commerce and Taxation
- The government was granted the power to regulate interstate commerce.
- Tariffs and trade policies were not included.
Outcomes of the Constitutional Convention
- Ratification required approval from nine states. Delaware was the first to ratify, and New Hampshire was the ninth. Rhode Island was the last.
- A Bill of Rights was added later, considered vital by numerous states.
- The U.S. Constitution was a compromise-based document.
- No state or delegate obtained everything they desired, but it provided an acceptable framework for all.
Other Key Notes
- Thomas Jefferson did not believe in a strong central government.
- Slave states wanted slaves to be counted for representation.
- Free states opposed counting slaves for representation.
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