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Questions and Answers
What key weakness of the Articles of Confederation was highlighted by Shay's Rebellion?
What key weakness of the Articles of Confederation was highlighted by Shay's Rebellion?
- The excessive power granted to individual states over national matters.
- The federal government's inability to effectively suppress rebellions. (correct)
- The lack of a national court system to resolve disputes between states.
- The inability to regulate interstate commerce effectively.
Which of the following best reflects Thomas Jefferson's sentiment regarding the role of rebellion in a free society, as expressed by his quote?
Which of the following best reflects Thomas Jefferson's sentiment regarding the role of rebellion in a free society, as expressed by his quote?
- Rebellions are unnecessary if a country has a well-written constitution.
- Rebellions are only justified when they aim to overthrow the entire government.
- Periodic rebellions are a necessary means to prevent governmental tyranny. (correct)
- A strong federal government should always suppress rebellions to maintain order.
What was the primary motivation behind Alexander Hamilton's call for a Constitutional Convention?
What was the primary motivation behind Alexander Hamilton's call for a Constitutional Convention?
- To address the issue of slavery and its economic impact on the states.
- To resolve territorial disputes between states over western lands.
- To revise the Articles of Confederation and create a more effective national government. (correct)
- To establish a formal alliance with foreign powers for trade and defense.
Which issue was resolved by the Connecticut Compromise during the Constitutional Convention?
Which issue was resolved by the Connecticut Compromise during the Constitutional Convention?
What was the significance of the Three-Fifths Compromise during the Constitutional Convention?
What was the significance of the Three-Fifths Compromise during the Constitutional Convention?
Why did some states fear creating a powerful chief executive during the Constitutional Convention?
Why did some states fear creating a powerful chief executive during the Constitutional Convention?
What power was granted to the federal government regarding interstate commerce as a result of the Constitutional Convention?
What power was granted to the federal government regarding interstate commerce as a result of the Constitutional Convention?
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 of the following states was the last to ratify the Constitution?
Which of the following states was the last to ratify the Constitution?
What principle is exemplified by the fact that no single state or delegate obtained everything they desired during the Constitutional Convention?
What principle is exemplified by the fact that no single state or delegate obtained everything they desired during the Constitutional Convention?
Flashcards
Shays' Rebellion
Shays' Rebellion
A revolt led by Daniel Shays protesting farm foreclosures in Massachusetts. It highlighted the weakness of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger federal government.
Virginia Plan
Virginia Plan
Representation in Congress should be based on population, favoring larger states.
New Jersey Plan
New Jersey Plan
Equal representation for each state in Congress regardless of population size.
Connecticut Compromise
Connecticut Compromise
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Three-Fifths Compromise
Three-Fifths Compromise
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Electoral College
Electoral College
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Interstate Commerce Clause
Interstate Commerce Clause
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Ratification Requirement
Ratification Requirement
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Bill of Rights
Bill of Rights
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Annapolis Convention
Annapolis Convention
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Study Notes
- The Articles of Confederation had weaknesses that needed addressing after the Revolutionary War.
- The country was in deep debt, and Congress lacked the power to coin money.
- Continental and state dollars became worthless.
Shay's Rebellion
- Daniel Shay, a Revolutionary War soldier and Massachusetts farmer, faced heavy tax debt.
- Many western Massachusetts farmers were in a similar situation.
- Shay organized a rebellion against the courts to prevent farm confiscations, using the Declaration of Independence to justify his actions.
- The rebellion was suppressed, but it highlighted the need for a stronger federal government to quell insurrections.
- Thomas Jefferson believed that "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants," reflecting his views on the need for a balance between liberty and government power.
Annapolis Convention
- A dispute between Virginia and Maryland led five states to meet due to the lack of a central government to resolve issues.
- This convention called for changes to the Articles of Confederation.
- Alexander Hamilton advocated for a Constitutional Convention to gain broader state support.
- This led to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.
Constitutional Convention
- The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia.
- All states except Rhode Island attended, with Rhode Island fearing a "too strong" federal government.
- Notable attendees included George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and James Madison (the "Father of the Constitution").
- Each state had one vote.
- Delegates maintained secrecy to encourage open discussion and voting based on conscience.
Key Issues
- Representation in Congress was a major point of contention.
- The Virginia Plan proposed representation based on population, favoring larger states.
- The New Jersey Plan advocated for equal representation for all states.
- The Connecticut Compromise created a bicameral legislature: one house based on population and one with equal representation for each state, with both elected directly by the people.
- Slavery was another significant issue.
- The question was how to count enslaved people in the state population.
- The Three-Fifths Compromise stipulated that three-fifths of the non-free population would be added to the total population of free people for representation purposes.
- The Constitution did not explicitly mention slavery or slaves.
- This compromise resulted in disproportionate representation for slave states.
- There was concern about granting too much power to the chief executive, influenced by experiences with British rule.
- The Electoral College was established as the method for electing the executive.
- The government was granted the power to regulate interstate commerce.
- Tariffs and trade policies were not included in the powers.
Outcomes
- Ratification by nine states was required for the Constitution to take effect.
- Delaware was the first state to ratify, and New Hampshire was the ninth.
- Rhode Island was the last state to ratify.
- The Bill of Rights was added later, which was crucial for securing the support of many states.
- The U.S. Constitution was a product of compromise, where no state or delegate achieved exactly what they wanted, but it was acceptable to all.
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