Give Me Liberty | Chapter 7 Flashcards

Republican Motherhood and Civic Training

• Women played a crucial role in shaping future citizens through education and moral guidance.
• The concept of republican motherhood promoted the idea of "companionate" marriage, emphasizing mutual respect and partnership.

The Articles of Confederation

• The Articles of Confederation served as the first written constitution of the United States.
• The government created by the Articles featured a one-house Congress, lacking executive and judicial branches.
• National government powers under the Articles included declaring war, conducting foreign relations, and making treaties.

Territorial Expansion and Governance

• Post-war peace led to rapid settlement in frontier areas.
• The Ordinance of 1785 regulated land sales north of the Ohio River, facilitating organization of western lands.
• The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 established a framework for admitting new territories as equal states in the political system.

Economic Challenges and Rebellion

• The Articles of Confederation failed to effectively manage economic crises that arose after the war.
• States were compelled to adopt individual economic policies due to Congress's inaction on debt issues.
• Shay's Rebellion illustrated the necessity for stronger central government to protect private liberty.

Constitutional Convention and Compromise

• A new constitution was deemed necessary to prevent anarchy or monarchy, reflecting Nationalists' concerns.
• The Constitutional Convention comprised wealthy and educated delegates, advocating for a balanced government structure.
• The Constitution aimed to establish a legislature, executive, and national judiciary.

Federalism and Checks and Balances

• The final compromise of the Constitution integrated elements from both the Virginia Plan (favoring large states) and the New Jersey Plan (favoring smaller states).
• Federalism and a system of checks and balances were core principles of the new Constitution, preventing any one branch from dominating.

Ratification Process

• Delegates signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787, with nine out of thirteen states seeking ratification.
• "The Federalist" papers were published to garner support, with Hamilton emphasizing that government is an expression of freedom.
• Madison argued that the vastness of the U.S. served as a stabilizing factor rather than a weakness.

Political Opposition and the Bill of Rights

• Anti-Federalists opposed ratification, believing the republic should be small and warning of potential government oppression.
• Madison introduced a Bill of Rights to the first Congress, outlining "unalienable rights" echoing the Declaration of Independence.

Economic Policies and Political Divisions

• Alexander Hamilton aimed to transform the U.S. into a major commercial and military power.
• Madison and Jefferson opposed Hamilton's plan due to its reliance on closeness with Britain, advocating for westward expansion instead.
• The Federalist Party aligned with Washington and Hamilton’s economic initiatives and favored strong ties with Britain.

Whiskey Rebellion and Its Implications

• The Whiskey Rebellion arose from taxation on whiskey production, leading to farmer protests in Pennsylvania.
• This rebellion highlighted concerns among Federalists about democracy, suggesting that ordinary citizen participation posed risks to stability.

Test your knowledge with these flashcards from Chapter 7 of 'Give Me Liberty'. This chapter delves into key concepts such as republican motherhood, the Articles of Confederation, and the evolution of marriage during the early republic. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of foundational American history.