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Questions and Answers
What became known as the Bill of Rights?
Which group actively opposed the ratification of the Constitution?
What significant compromise related to slavery was made during the Constitutional Convention?
What was the purpose of the Bill of Rights?
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Which statement describes the nature of the debates during the Constitutional Convention?
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What did Federalists assure in order to secure the Constitution's ratification?
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Which major weaknesses did the Articles of Confederation exhibit?
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What key factor contributed to the ratification of the Constitution?
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Which of the following was prohibited in the Northwest Territory under the ordinances?
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What issue did Shays' Rebellion primarily highlight?
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What did the Northwest Ordinance guarantee for settlers?
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Which branch of government was intentionally absent in the Articles of Confederation?
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Which statement correctly describes the intent behind the Articles of Confederation?
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What consequence did the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation lead to?
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What was the primary cause of Shays’ Rebellion?
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What was the outcome of Shays’ Rebellion in terms of public sentiment toward government?
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What was one of the key agreements made at the Constitutional Convention?
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What was the main feature of the Great Compromise?
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What did the Three-Fifths Compromise address?
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Which compromise addressed the concerns regarding trade and slavery?
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How was the President chosen according to the Presidency Compromise?
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What role did the Federalist Papers serve during the ratification debate?
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What resulted from the Anti-Federalist response to the Constitution?
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Which of the following accurately describes the Articles of Confederation?
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What economic challenge did the United States face after the Revolutionary War?
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Which plan proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state?
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What term describes the agreement that determined how enslaved people would be counted for representation and taxation?
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What was one of the primary concerns of the Anti-Federalists?
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Study Notes
State Constitutions
- The newly formed United States adopted republican governments, where power derived from the people
- Early state constitutions were written with strong limitations placed on the executive branch, granting legislative branches the majority of power
- Despite the republican ideals, direct democracy was not fully embraced, with property requirements remaining to restrict voting rights
Articles of Confederation
- The Articles of Confederation, adopted during the Revolutionary War, established a weak central government with limited powers
- The central government lacked an executive or judicial branch, relying solely on Congress for authority
- The Articles' requirement for unanimous agreement to amend the document made it nearly impossible to address its weaknesses
- The central government had no power to impose direct taxes, forcing it to rely on borrowing, requests from the states, and printing money
- The Articles of Confederation resulted in a post-war economic recession, government debt, interstate conflicts, and a lack of respect from foreign nations
Northwest Ordinance
- The Confederation's most significant achievement was the establishment of a system for governing Western lands through the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787
- The ordinances created a framework for settling the Northwest Territory, outlining guidelines for territories to become states
- The ordinances guaranteed citizenship, included a bill of rights with religious freedom protections, prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory, and allowed for the return of fugitive slaves
- The Northwest Territory was originally Native American land and violence escalated as white settlers moved into the region
Shay's Rebellion
- Following the Revolutionary War, the American economy faced a difficult transition, leading to a post-war depression from 1784-1787
- Both the national and state governments accumulated significant debts
- States, with the power to tax, implemented increased taxes, burdening debt-ridden farmers
- Thousands of farmers, unable to pay their debts, lost their farms and staged riots, particularly in New England
- Shay's Rebellion, the most notable uprising, occurred in Massachusetts from 1786-1787
- Led by Daniel Shay, a Revolutionary War veteran, farmers protested by closing several courthouses
- The Articles of Confederation's lack of a standing army forced state militias to quell the rebellion, prolonging its suppression
- Shay and 18 other rebels were sentenced to death, with two executions and pardons for the rest
- Although Shay's Rebellion was ultimately suppressed, it served as a catalyst for revising the Articles of Confederation and developing a stronger national government
The Convention
- In the aftermath of Shay's Rebellion, the need for a balance between liberty and security became evident
- The Constitutional Convention was convened in Philadelphia with the specific purpose of amending the Articles of Confederation
- All states, except Rhode Island, sent delegates to the convention in Philadelphia's Independence Hall in May 1787
- Three key agreements were reached at the beginning of the convention:
- George Washington was unanimously elected president of the convention
- Debates were conducted in secrecy to avoid external pressures
- The Articles of Confederation were deemed irreparable and would be replaced
Compromise
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The Great Compromise
- Edmund Randolph of Virginia proposed the Virginia Plan (Large States Plan), which advocated for a bicameral legislature with representation in the lower house proportional to population
- The proposal drew opposition from smaller states, leading to William Patterson of New Jersey's counterproposal, the New Jersey Plan (Small States Plan), calling for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for all states regardless of population
- Roger Sherman of Connecticut proposed the Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise), which formed a bicameral legislature:
- The Senate (upper house) granted equal representation for each state
- The House of Representatives (lower house) assigned representation based on population
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The Three-Fifths Compromise
- A heated debate erupted over slavery, representation, and power
- Southern states sought to count enslaved people for representation in the House but not for taxation purposes
- The Three-Fifths Compromise, spearheaded by James Madison, stipulated that three-fifths of enslaved African Americans in a state would be counted for congressional representation and taxation
- This provision granted additional voting power in the House of Representatives to slaveholding states
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The Commerce Compromise
- Northern states advocated for a government capable of regulating trade while Southern states feared a ban on importing African slaves and potential taxes on their agricultural exports
- The Compromise empowered Congress to regulate trade but forbade them from imposing taxes on states' exports
- The agreement also included a provision to prohibit the international slave trade for 20 years, lasting till 1808
- The sale of slaves within the United States continued until the Civil War.
- The Fugitive Slave Clause obligates all states to assist in returning runaway slaves to their owners
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The Presidency Compromise
- Supporters of a robust national government favored a directly elected president with a long term in office
- Advocates for states' rights sought a shorter term and a system where state legislatures elected the president
- The compromise resulted in a four-year term for the president and an indirect election through the Electoral College System
Ratification Debate
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The Start of Ratification
- After reaching agreements on key elements of the new federal government, a five-person committee was formed to draft the final document
- On September 17, 1787, after 39 delegates signed the Constitution, it faced the crucial step of ratification by the states
- The Constitution would go into effect once nine states ratified it
- Even before state-level ratification conventions, a widespread national debate concerning the new Constitution had begun
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Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
- The country split into two factions in each state: Federalists, supporters of ratification, and Anti-Federalists, opponents of ratification
- The dividing line: The appropriate role of government
- Federalist View: Favored a strong central government, hence supporting the Constitution. Prominent Federalists composed 84 essays advocating for ratification known as the Federalist Papers
- Anti-Federalist View: Advocated for strong states' rights, therefore opposing the Constitution. Prominent Anti-Federalists wrote essays opposing ratification called the Anti-Federalist Papers
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Ratification
- Despite the Anti-Federalists' efforts, ratification proceeded rapidly throughout the winter of 1787-1788.
- The first elections were held in early 1789, with George Washington unanimously elected president
- Washington was inaugurated in New York on April 30, 1789
- Congress embarked on drafting a Bill of Rights, approving 12 amendments by September 1789. The first 10 amendments were ratified by the states by 1791, collectively known as the Bill of Rights
Key Takeaways
- The Constitutional Convention brought together delegates from various states who, through negotiations, compromises, and collaborations, proposed a new Constitution.
- The Convention addressed the issue of slavery by including compromises regarding slave states' representation in Congress and the federal government's role in regulating both slavery and the slave trade, while postponing the prohibition of the international slave trade until 1808.
- During the debate over the Constitution's ratification, Anti-Federalists, opposing ratification, clashed with Federalists who promoted their principles in the Federalist Papers, primarily authored by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. Federalists, by promising the addition of a Bill of Rights to ensure the protection of individual rights and explicitly restrict federal government powers, successfully secured the Constitution's ratification.
State Constitutions
- Americans favored republican governments, where power originated from the people.
- State constitutions were written, limiting executive authority and concentrating power in legislative branches.
- Most state constitutions retained property requirements for voting, restricting direct popular rule.
- Concerns arose about the instability of state governments, prompting many to revise their constitutions, expanding governor's powers in the 1780s and 1790s.
Articles of Confederation
- Established a weak central government following the American Revolution.
- Intentionally lacked an executive branch, judicial branch, and the power to levy taxes directly.
- Required unanimous consent for amendments, hindering its effectiveness.
- Led to economic instability, unpaid debts, interstate disputes, and international disrespect.
Northwest Ordinance
- Significant accomplishment of the Confederation, organizing western lands with the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.
- Established a framework for settling the Northwest Territory, guiding the process of territorial statehood.
- Guaranteed citizenship and protected religious freedom through a bill of rights.
- Prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory.
- Required the return of fugitive slaves.
Shays' Rebellion
- A postwar economic depression (1784-1787) resulted in substantial debt for both national and state governments.
- Farmers faced increased taxes and lost farms due to inability to repay debt, leading to widespread unrest.
- Daniel Shays led a rebellion in Massachusetts (1786-1787), disrupting court functions and highlighting the weakness of the Articles of Confederation.
- The rebellion, though unsuccessful, emphasized the need for a stronger central government.
The Convention
- Shays' Rebellion highlighted the need for a balance between liberty and security.
- The Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia in May 1787, with the stated purpose of amending the Articles of Confederation.
- All states (except Rhode Island) sent representatives, totaling 55 delegates.
- George Washington was unanimously elected president of the convention.
Compromise
- The Great Compromise: Proposed a bicameral legislature (Congress) with equal representation in the Senate (Upper House) and proportional representation based on population in the House of Representatives (Lower House).
- The Three-Fifths Compromise: Enshrined that three-fifths of enslaved people would be counted for congressional representation and taxation, granting slaveholding states additional power.
- The Commerce Compromise: Allowed Congress to regulate interstate commerce but prevented taxation of state exports and prohibited the slave trade for 20 years.
- The Presidency Compromise: Established a four-year term for the president and indirect election through the Electoral College system.
Ratification Debate
- The final draft of the Constitution was signed by 39 delegates in September 1787, requiring ratification by nine states.
- Public debate began immediately, dividing people into Federalists (supporters of the Constitution) and Anti-Federalists (opponents).
- Federalists, advocating for a strong central government, championed the Constitution, publishing the Federalist Papers.
- Anti-Federalists, advocating for robust state rights, opposed the Constitution, publishing the Anti-Federalist Papers.
Ratification
- The Constitution was ratified quickly during the winter of 1787-1788.
- The first elections were held in early 1789, resulting in George Washington's unanimous election as president.
- Congress drafted a Bill of Rights, with the first 10 amendments being ratified by 1791.
Key Takeaways
- Early state constitutions concentrated power in legislative branches while limiting executive authority.
- The Articles of Confederation created a weak central government that struggled to address economic, national, and geopolitical challenges.
- The Northwest Ordinance established a framework for westward expansion, promoting public education, property rights, and the abolition of slavery in the Northwest Territory.
- Shays' Rebellion highlighted the weakness of the Articles of Confederation and fueled the desire for a stronger central government.
- The Constitutional Convention resulted in significant compromises, specifically regarding the representation of states with enslaved populations and the role of the federal government in regulating commerce and slavery.
- The ratification process saw a debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists, with the Federalist Papers advocating for a stronger federal government and the ratification of the Constitution. Ultimately, the Constitution was ratified, and the Bill of Rights was added to protect individual liberties and restrict federal power.
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Description
Explore the foundational concepts of state constitutions and the Articles of Confederation in early American governance. This quiz covers the balance of power in state legislatures, limitations on the executive branch, and the weaknesses of the federal government under the Articles. Test your knowledge on these pivotal developments in shaping the United States.
