Articles of Confederation and the Constitution
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following was a significant weakness of the Articles of Confederation that led to its eventual replacement?

  • The judicial branch had the authority to overturn state laws, causing conflicts and undermining state sovereignty.
  • Amendments to the Articles required unanimous consent from all states, making it too easy to adapt to changing circumstances.
  • The executive branch held too much power, leading to centralized control and potential abuse.
  • The national government lacked the power to effectively tax and regulate interstate commerce, hindering its ability to address national debt and economic issues. (correct)

    • How did the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 contribute to the expansion and development of the United States?

  • They promoted economic growth by granting large tracts of land to wealthy individuals and corporations for resource extraction.
  • They established policies that encouraged rapid, unregulated settlement of western lands, leading to conflicts with Native American tribes.
  • They centralized control over western territories under the authority of the executive branch, limiting opportunities for local self-governance.
  • They provided a framework for orderly settlement, the creation of new states, and the prohibition of slavery in the Northwest Territory. (correct)

    • What was the primary significance of Shay's Rebellion in highlighting the inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation?

  • It exposed the vulnerability of a weak central government unable to effectively respond to internal unrest and economic grievances. (correct)
  • It prompted Congress to immediately grant states greater autonomy in addressing economic and social issues.
  • It demonstrated the effectiveness of the national government in suppressing domestic insurrections and maintaining order.
  • It led to the immediate abolition of state militias and the establishment of a standing national army.

    • In what way did the Great Compromise resolve the debate over representation in the U.S. Congress during the Constitutional Convention?

    <p>By creating a bicameral legislature with one house based on population (House of Representatives) and another with equal representation for each state (Senate). (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the Three-Fifths Compromise address the issue of slavery within the context of political representation?

    <p>It counted each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of representation and taxation, but not as a whole person. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What limitations did the Commerce Compromise place on the power of Congress to regulate trade?

    <p>Congress was allowed to regulate trade but could not tax exports or interfere with the slave trade for a period of 20 years. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the relationship between the failure of the Articles of Confederation and the subsequent creation of the U.S. Constitution?

    <p>The perceived weaknesses and inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation directly led to the calling of the Constitutional Convention and the drafting of a new governing document. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 address the issue of slavery in the newly formed territories?

    <p>By prohibiting slavery in the Northwest Territory, setting a precedent for future restrictions on the expansion of slavery. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes the impact of the Bill of Rights?

    <p>It guaranteed fundamental rights and freedoms to individuals, convincing Anti-Federalists to support the Constitution. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the main objective of Alexander Hamilton's economic plan during George Washington’s presidency?

    <p>To foster economic stability and growth by having the federal government assume state debts, create a national bank and impose taxes. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the Whiskey Rebellion demonstrate the power and authority of the early United States government under President Washington?

    <p>It showed the government's ability to effectively suppress resistance to federal laws through military force. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary reason behind President Washington's Neutrality Proclamation of 1793?

    <p>To avoid entanglement in European conflicts, allowing the U.S. to develop without foreign interference. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the significance of the XYZ Affair during John Adams’ presidency?

    <p>It intensified anti-French sentiment in the U.S. due to French agents demanding a bribe from American diplomats, pushing the two countries closer to war. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the Alien and Sedition Acts impact political discourse and individual liberties in the United States?

    <p>They curtailed immigration and criminalized criticism of the government, raising concerns about free speech. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What principle was asserted in the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, written in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts?

    <p>States have the right to nullify federal laws they deem unconstitutional, advocating for states’ rights. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the most significant consequence of the Louisiana Purchase during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency?

    <p>It doubled the size of the United States, opening vast new territories for exploration and settlement. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What legal principle was established by the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison (1803)?

    <p>The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review, enabling it to declare laws unconstitutional. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Jefferson's actions demonstrate a conflict between his philosophical beliefs and his presidential responsibilities?

    <p>He authorized the Louisiana Purchase, expanding federal power despite his belief in limited government. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Articles of Confederation

    The first governing document of the U.S. created in 1781, establishing a weak central government.

    Weak Central Government

    A government with limited authority, where states retain most powers.

    Land Ordinance of 1785

    A law dividing western land into townships for orderly settlement and school provisions.

    Northwest Ordinance of 1787

    Established a system for admitting new states and prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory.

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    Shays's Rebellion

    An armed uprising in 1786-1787 by Massachusetts farmers protesting economic injustices.

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    Constitutional Convention

    A 1787 meeting where delegates designed a new framework for U.S. governance, replacing the Articles.

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    Great Compromise

    The agreement that created a bicameral legislature with both equal and population-based representation.

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    Three-Fifths Compromise

    An agreement counting enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for representation in Congress.

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    Checks and Balances

    A system to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

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    Bill of Rights

    The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, protecting individual freedoms.

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    Washington's Cabinet

    A group of advisors created by Washington to help govern the new nation.

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    Hamilton’s Economic Plan

    A proposal to pay off debts, create a national bank, and raise taxes.

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    Whiskey Rebellion

    A revolt by farmers against a tax on whiskey, suppressed by Washington's army.

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    Neutrality Proclamation

    A declaration by Washington to keep the U.S. out of foreign wars.

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    XYZ Affair

    A diplomatic incident where France demanded a bribe from U.S. diplomats.

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    Alien and Sedition Acts

    Laws making it harder for immigrants to become citizens and restricting free speech.

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    Marbury v. Madison

    A Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.

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    Study Notes

    Chapter 1: The Articles of Confederation and the Need for a New Government

    • The Articles of Confederation, established in 1781, created a weak central government.
    • States held most power under the Articles.
    • Congress could make laws, declare war, and print money, but couldn't tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws.
    • Debt and inability to pay soldiers from the Revolution plagued the nation.
    • Land Ordinance of 1785: Divided western land into townships for settlement, including some land for public schools.
    • Northwest Ordinance of 1787: Set a process for new territories to become states and banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.
    • Shays's Rebellion (1786-1787): Farmers led by Daniel Shays rebelled against high taxes and debt.
    • The rebellion exposed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation, showing the national government's inability to maintain order.

    Chapter 2: The Constitutional Convention and the U.S. Constitution

    • In 1787, the Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia to revise the Articles but instead created a new Constitution.
    • Representation in Congress was a major issue, with large states favoring population-based representation and small states wanting equal votes.
    • The Great Compromise established a two-house Congress: Senate (equal representation per state) and House of Representatives (representation based on population).
    • The Three-Fifths Compromise counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes.
    • The Commerce Compromise allowed Congress to regulate trade but prohibited taxes on exports and restricted interference with the slave trade for 20 years.
    • Checks and Balances were built into the Constitution to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
    • The Bill of Rights (1791), comprising the first 10 amendments, protected freedoms like speech, religion, and trial rights.

    Chapter 3: Washington’s Presidency and the Challenges of a New Nation

    • George Washington became the first U.S. president in 1789.
    • Washington created a Cabinet, with advisors such as Alexander Hamilton (Treasury) and Thomas Jefferson (State).
    • The Judiciary Act of 1789 established the Supreme Court and lower federal courts.
    • Hamilton's Economic Plan proposed paying off state debts, creating a national bank, and increasing taxes. This plan sparked a compromise centered around locating the capital in Washington D.C.
    • The Whiskey Rebellion (1794): Farmers rebelled against a tax on whiskey. Washington sent the army to quell the rebellion, demonstrating the strength of the new government.
    • The Neutrality Proclamation (1793) declared the U.S. would remain neutral in the war between Britain and France.

    Chapter 4: John Adams and the Rise of Political Parties

    • Political parties emerged, with the Federalists (led by Hamilton) wanting a strong central government and an industrial economy, and Democratic-Republicans (led by Jefferson) favoring states' rights and a farming economy.
    • The XYZ Affair (1797-1798) involved French agents demanding bribes from U.S. diplomats, leading to anti-French sentiment and calls for war.
    • The Alien and Sedition Acts (1798) made it harder for immigrants to become citizens and restricted criticism of the government, respectively.
    • The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions (1798-1799) argued that states could ignore unconstitutional federal laws (nullification).

    Chapter 5: The Jefferson Presidency and the Louisiana Purchase

    • Jefferson reduced taxes and military spending to limit government power.
    • The Louisiana Purchase (1803): The U.S. purchased Louisiana from France for $15 million, doubling its size.
    • Marbury v. Madison (1803) established judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional.

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    Description

    Explore the transition from the Articles of Confederation to the U.S. Constitution. Learn about the weaknesses of the Articles, including the inability to tax and regulate trade, and discover how Shays's Rebellion highlighted the need for a stronger national government, leading to the Constitutional Convention.

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