Chapter 6: The State of the Nation Post-War (1783-1788)

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Questions and Answers

What was a major reason for the ineffectiveness of the Articles of Confederation?

Inability to collect taxes (correct)

Failure to address foreign relations

Lack of a standing army

Inability to draft a constitution

Who were the Federalists, and what did they advocate for?

Stricter local governance and state rights

A strong federal government capable of tax collection (correct)

Establishment of a monarchy

Immediate independence from Britain

Which event highlighted the need for a stronger government in the U.S. after the war?

The Constitutional Convention

The Boston Tea Party

Shays' Rebellion (correct)

The signing of the Treaty of Paris

What were the views of Anti-Federalists regarding a strong central government?

They feared it could lead to tyranny Signup and view all the answers

What significant impact did Shays' Rebellion have on political leaders?

It prompted demands for revising the Articles of Confederation Signup and view all the answers

What was Daniel Shays' goal during the uprising in Massachusetts?

To take over the state government in Boston Signup and view all the answers

In Abigail Adams' view, how did she perceive the participants of Shays' Rebellion?

As misguided individuals lacking principle Signup and view all the answers

What did George Washington imply about human nature when forming the confederation?

Humans can be selfish and destructive Signup and view all the answers

What was one significant weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

Each state operated independently without a strong central authority. Signup and view all the answers

What event was prompted by the perceived weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation in 1786?

The Annapolis Convention. Signup and view all the answers

Which plan proposed a two-house Congress based on proportional representation?

The Virginia Plan. Signup and view all the answers

What solution did the delegates ultimately agree upon regarding representation in Congress?

The Great Compromise including both a House of Representatives and a Senate. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Electoral College as introduced by Madison?

To elect the president through a system of electors based on state votes. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key concern regarding the election of a single chief executive?

That the position would be too powerful and unaccountable. Signup and view all the answers

Which compromise was reached regarding the issue of slavery in the Constitution?

The 3/5 Compromise, counting slaves as three-fifths of a person. Signup and view all the answers

How many states needed to ratify the Constitution for it to become law?

9 states. Signup and view all the answers

Which document did Madison, Jay, and Hamilton write to support the ratification of the Constitution?

The Federalist Papers. Signup and view all the answers

What did the delegates ultimately fear concerning the electorate during the debates?

They were concerned uneducated and uninterested voters might make unwise decisions. Signup and view all the answers

What role did Washington play during the Constitutional Convention?

He served as presiding officer but participated minimally. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT one of the founding fathers present at the Constitutional Convention?

Thomas Jefferson. Signup and view all the answers

Why did smaller states reject the Virginia Plan initially?

It favored larger states with proportional representation. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Bill of Rights in the ratification of the Constitution?

It was a necessary compromise to gain the support of Virginia and New York for ratification. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The State of the Nation at War's End (1783-1788)

The Articles of Confederation were ineffective due to the inability to collect taxes, govern properly, and address issues quickly.
The first US political party, the Federalists (Liberals), emerged, advocating for a strong federal government able to tax. Key figures were Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, John Jay, and James Madison.
Anti-Federalists (Conservatives) opposed a strong central government; key figures included Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and James Monroe.
Economic problems first hit Massachusetts, leading to tax rebellions by farmers in western Massachusetts (Shays' Rebellion). Farmers were unable to pay taxes due to low crop yields and foreclosures on their farms.
Led by Daniel Shays, 1,500 armed farmers attacked courthouses with the intent to march to Boston.
The rebellion was put down, but it highlighted the need for a stronger national government to address such insurrections.
Rumors and panic spread about the rebellion among the elite, exaggerating its scope and influence.
Supporters of a strong national government advocated for a revision of the Articles.
Abigail Adams, a wealthy Eastern Massachusettes elite, viewed Shays' rebels as ignorant and lawless, a detrimental element to the struggle for stability. Thomas Jefferson countered this sentiment by comparing the need for revolution with the necessity to nurture liberty and democratic principles.

Creating a Government: Writing the U.S. Constitution

The Articles of Confederation failed because each state functioned essentially as an independent nation. There was no national mechanism to tax or enforce laws creating a lack of unity amongst states.
In 1786, five states sent delegates to the Annapolis Convention to discuss weaknesses in the Articles. Hamilton urged Congress to convene in 1787 to address the government's shortcomings.
The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia in 1787 to revise, but ultimately rewrite the Articles of Confederation.
Fifty-five delegates from twelve states attended the convention. Rhode Island did not attend. Delegates were young, college-educated, representing various professions (farmers, merchants, lawyers and bankers).
Key figures like Washington, Madison, and Franklin, attended, but some key figures like Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were absent.
Madison proposed the Virginia Plan, proposing a bicameral Congress based on proportional representation tied to population per state, empowering Congress to collect taxes, regulate commerce,and veto state laws.
The Virginia Plan focused on creating a strong national executive and federal courts.
Smaller states opposed the Virginia Plan because it gave disproportionate power to larger states; the New Jersey plan was introduced which advocated for equal state representation in a unicameral Congress in contrast.
The Great Compromise resolved the standoff. Representation in the House of Representatives would be based on population. The Senate would provide equal representation for each state with two senators.
The delegates agreed that a single executive would be needed but were unsure of the selection process.
The Electoral College emerged as a compromise selection method for the president, allowing each state a certain number of Electoral Votes based on their representation in Congress (senators + representatives).
The delegates debated presidential power and ultimately granted the president limited powers to sign laws into effect, veto power, commander-in-chief powers, and the power to appoint officials and judges.
The Supreme Court was established with power to declare laws unconstitutional. Fear of tyranny of the majority motivated the delegates.
The issue of slavery was highly controversial. The North advocated for its abolition; the South relied on it economically. The result was the 3/5th Compromise (slaves counted as 3/5 of a person) and agreement that Congress could prohibit the importation of slaves in 1808. Runaway slaves were to be returned to their owners from states they had fled.
The Constitution was sent to the states for ratification. Nine states needed to approve it. Federalist Papers were written to advocate for the Constitution.
Key figures like Madison, Jay, and Hamilton were authors of Federalist Papers.
Virginia and New York ultimately approved the Constitution, but only after debates among Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The Anti-Federalist concern lead to a call for a Bill of Rights.
The Constitution was enacted and became the law of the land on September 17, 1789.

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Explore the critical years following the American Revolutionary War, focusing on the challenges of the Articles of Confederation, the rise of political factions like Federalists and Anti-Federalists, and key events such as Shays' Rebellion. This quiz delves into the early governmental struggles that shaped the United States.