The Confederation and the Constitution (1776-1790)

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Questions and Answers

What was the main reason antifederalists opposed the Constitution?

  • They believed it would improve the economy.
  • They supported one strong leader.
  • They feared it would diminish state sovereignty. (correct)
  • They wanted a stronger federal government.

The Constitution required all thirteen states to ratify it to become effective.

False (B)

Name one prominent antifederalist leader who opposed the Constitution.

Samuel Adams

The framers of the Constitution appealed directly to the _____ to gain popular support.

<p>people</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following individuals with their stance on the Constitution:

<p>Samuel Adams = Antifederalist Patrick Henry = Antifederalist Alexander Hamilton = Federalist James Madison = Federalist</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main issue that prompted the call for a constitutional convention in 1786?

<p>Interstate commerce disputes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Alexander Hamilton was a significant figure in the early proceedings of the constitutional convention.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which state did not send representatives to the constitutional convention?

<p>Rhode Island</p> Signup and view all the answers

The convention to revise the Articles of Confederation was convened in __________.

<p>Philadelphia</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their descriptions:

<p>Federalist Papers = A series of essays promoting the ratification of the Constitution Separation of Powers = The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches Constitutional Convention = 1787 meeting to address issues in the Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation = The first governing document of the United States</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key features of the presidency outlined in the new Constitution?

<p>The president has veto power and appoints domestic offices. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a primary purpose of the constitutional convention?

<p>To address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The delegates at the constitutional convention operated in secrecy.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The framers of the Constitution intended for the president to be elected directly by the people.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the separation of powers as it relates to the president and Congress?

<p>The president can wage war as commander in chief, but Congress has the exclusive power to declare war.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The leaders at the convention were primarily elected by __________ that were made up of property holders.

<p>state legislatures</p> Signup and view all the answers

The _____ was a significant compromise in how the president is elected.

<p>Electoral College</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which state’s example inspired the framers to create a more robust executive branch?

<p>Massachusetts (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The framers of the Constitution anticipated that the election of the president by the House of Representatives would occur frequently.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the significant barrier to nationwide acceptance of the Constitution?

<p>Unanimous ratification by all thirteen states was required.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Ratification of the Constitution

A process where nine states had to ratify the Constitution for it to become the supreme law for those states.

Antifederalists

The group that opposed the stronger federal government presented in the Constitution.

Federalists

People who favored a stronger central government and supported the Constitution.

Federalist / Antifederalist Debate

A crucial debate in American history regarding the ratification of the Constitution, featuring passionate arguments from both supporters and opponents of the stronger federal government.

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Electoral College

A system where the president is elected by a group of electors, not directly by the people.

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Electoral College Compromise

A key compromise in the Constitution that aimed to balance the power of large and small states during presidential elections.

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Presidential Powers

The Constitution granted the president broad authority to appoint officials, including judges, and the power to veto legislation.

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War Powers

The president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, but Congress retains the power to declare war. This division of responsibility has led to tensions between the branches.

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Compromises in the Constitution

The Constitution was a result of numerous compromises between different factions representing different interests.

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Unanimous Ratification

For the Constitution to be adopted, unanimous ratification by all thirteen states was required.

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What was the main problem that triggered the Constitutional Convention?

The condition of interstate trade and commerce, especially during the 1780s, being in a chaotic and dysfunctional state, hindering economic growth and stability.

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What was the Annapolis Convention?

A convention held in Annapolis, Maryland in 1786 to address interstate trade issues, but only five out of nine appointed states formally participated, leading to a largely unsuccessful outcome.

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What were the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document of the United States, adopted in 1781, but it lacked a strong central government and proved ineffective in regulating commerce and managing interstate disputes.

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Who saved the Annapolis Convention from failure?

A charismatic and influential figure, Alexander Hamilton, played a pivotal role in saving the Annapolis Convention from collapse by advocating for a more comprehensive gathering to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation.

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Who were the delegates to the Constitutional Convention?

The attendees of the Constitutional Convention, representing twelve states, were primarily wealthy, educated, and politically influential individuals, who aimed to create a constitution that protected their interests while establishing a strong federal government.

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How were delegates to the Constitutional Convention chosen?

The process of selecting delegates to the Constitutional Convention involved state legislatures electing representatives who, in turn, were chosen by property-owning voters. This process ensured the representation of wealthy and influential individuals, but also raised concerns about the potential for bias in favor of their economic interests.

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Was there support for limiting political participation to wealthy individuals during the Constitutional Convention?

During the Constitutional Convention, the idea of restricting federal office to major property owners was rejected, highlighting the commitment to a republican form of government, where wealth was not a prerequisite for political participation.

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How were the discussions of the Constitutional Convention kept secret?

The Constitutional Convention proceedings were held in secret, with armed guards protecting the participants, to ensure that the delegates could freely discuss and debate the crucial issues of government structure and powers without outside distractions or interference.

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Study Notes

The Confederation and the Constitution (1776-1790)

  • The American Revolution was not a complete societal overhaul, but rather an accelerated evolution of existing structures.
  • Post-Revolution, Americans grappled with establishing a new government.
  • Loyalists' departure left the new nation without stabilizing influences.
  • Post-war economic hardship affected American industries, due to cheap British goods flooding the market.
  • States displayed remarkably similar governmental structures and constitutions, drawing from British and American examples.
  • Key figures like Washington, Madison, Adams, and Jefferson contributed to the political landscape.

Constitution Making in the States

  • The Continental Congress urged thirteen colonies to create new constitutions.
  • These new states embodied the ideals of republicanism, based on the authority of the people.

Economic Shifts

  • States took control over former crown lands, with Loyalist land holdings often redistributed.
  • Manufacturing experienced a boost due to non-importation agreements and wartime necessity.
  • The American economy was still primarily agricultural, despite some industrial growth.
  • Wartime trade disruptions hindered certain sectors.

The Articles of Confederation

  • Congress in 1777 established the Articles of Confederation, a loose union of independent states.
  • States retained sovereignty for many internal functions.
  • Key disputes centered around western lands and their governance by the central authority.
  • Maryland's final ratification in 1781 marked the official inauguration of the Articles of Confederation.
  • The central government proved insufficient in addressing economic and interstate disputes.

A Crippled Confederation

  • The Articles of Confederation faced profound challenges as a structure.
  • Issues like taxation, commerce, and protection of states' interests proved difficult to reconcile.
  • Shay's Rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the national government in dealing with internal conflicts.

The Founding Fathers Assemble

  • Delegates convened in Philadelphia in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation.
  • The convention’s focus shifted from revision to creating a new Constitution.
  • The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan emphasized competing interests of large and small states, respectively.
  • Issues surrounding representation and the power of the states were contentious.
  • The Great Compromise addressed the imbalance of power between larger states and smaller states.
  • Three-fifths Compromise was designed as a compromise regarding enslaved people and their representation.

The Fight for Ratification

  • The proposed Constitution faced significant opposition from antifederalists.
  • Federalists countered with arguments that a strong national government was crucial.
  • Ratification was achieved, with some states facing intense debate.
  • Rhode Island delayed ratification until 1790, becoming the last state to join the new Union.

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