U.S. History Chapter: Articles of Confederation

Questions and Answers

What was the Articles of Confederation?

A types of military strategy

A tax law

The first written constitution for the new nation (correct)

A treaty with Britain

What is the Old Northwest?

An immense part of the public domain acquired from the states, lying northwest of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River.

What is the Land Ordinance of 1785?

It provided for the sale of land in the Old Northwest to help pay off the national debt and divided it into townships for public schools.

What was the Northwest Ordinance?

A law that governed the Old Northwest territory, allowing it to become a state once it had 60,000 inhabitants. Signup and view all the answers

What was Shay's Rebellion?

An uprising in 1786 led by impoverished farmers in Western Massachusetts protesting mortgage foreclosures and taxes. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Virginia Plan?

A plan that based representation on population Signup and view all the answers

What was the New Jersey Plan?

A plan proposing equal representation in a unicameral Congress by states, regardless of size or population. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Great Compromise?

An agreement that larger states would have representation based on population in the House, while smaller states would have equal representation in the Senate. Signup and view all the answers

What is common law?

A legal tradition without specific details Signup and view all the answers

What is the three-fifths compromise?

A compromise that counted each slave as three-fifths of a person for tax and representation purposes. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Antifederalists?

Opponents of a strong central government who feared the encroachment of liberties in the absence of a Bill of Rights. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Federalists?

Supporters of a strong central government who argued that checks and balances would safeguard rights. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'The Federalist'?

A collection of essays written to lay out arguments in favor of the new Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Society of the Cincinnati?

An exclusive hereditary order formed by officers of the Continental Army. Signup and view all the answers

What does disestablished refer to in this context?

The Anglican Church became disestablished due to its association with the British. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Virginia statute for religious freedom do?

It prohibited state support for religious institutions and recognized freedom of worship. Signup and view all the answers

What is civic virtue?

The notion that democracy depends on the unselfish commitment of each citizen to the public good. Signup and view all the answers

What is republican motherhood?

The belief that mothers exemplified civic virtue through their devotion to family. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Lord Sheffield?

A British politician who argued that Britain would win back America's trade. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Patrick Henry?

A passionate champion of states' rights and a prominent Antifederalist. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Articles of Confederation

First written constitution for the United States, adopted in 1777.
Ratified by all states in 1781, serving as a governing document.

Old Northwest

Territory acquired from the states, located northwest of the Ohio River, east of the Mississippi River, and south of the Great Lakes.

Land Ordinance of 1785

Aimed to sell land in the Old Northwest to generate revenue for national debt.
Divided land into townships of 36 sections, with areas designated for public schools.

Northwest Ordinance

Established in 1787 to manage the Old Northwest.
Provided a systematic process for admitting new states once a territory reached a population of 60,000.

Shay's Rebellion

Uprising in 1786 led by impoverished farmers in Western Massachusetts facing foreclosure and tax burdens.
Highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, leading to calls for a stronger national government.

Virginia Plan

Proposed by larger states, suggesting representation in Congress be based on population, favoring larger states.

New Jersey Plan

Offered equal representation for each state in a unicameral Congress, regardless of size or population.

Great Compromise

Combined elements of the Virginia and New Jersey plans.
Established a bicameral legislature with representation based on population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Common Law

Legal tradition allowing for flexibility in constitutional interpretation without needing to specify every detail.

Civil Law

Constitutions represented as extensive legal codes, contrasting the common law tradition.

Three-fifths Compromise

Determined that each enslaved person would count as three-fifths of a person for representation and tax purposes.

Antifederalists

Opposed strong central government, fearing it would undermine individual liberties without a Bill of Rights.
Predominantly composed of poorer classes.

Federalists

Advocated for a strong central government, arguing that checks and balances would protect rights.
Included influential leaders like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, primarily from wealthier classes.

The Federalist

Series of essays advocating for the new Constitution written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison.

Society of the Cincinnati

Exclusive hereditary organization formed by Continental Army officers, facing resentment from others.

Disestablished

Process by which the Anglican Church lost its official status, reformed as the Protestant Episcopal Church due to its association with Britain.

Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

Legislation prohibiting state support for religious institutions and affirming freedom of worship during the struggle for church-state separation.

Civic Virtue

Concept emphasizing that democracy relies on citizens' selfless commitment to the public good, essential for a functioning republic.

Republican Motherhood

Ideology suggesting that women, through their roles as mothers, exemplify civic virtue and moral guidance to foster good Republican behavior.

Lord Sheffield

British politician who argued against American trade, prompting calls for a more robust central government in the U.S.

Patrick Henry

Prominent Antifederalist and advocate for states' rights, declined to serve as a Virginia delegate.

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Description

Explore the early framework of the United States with our quiz on the Articles of Confederation. Learn about significant events like Shay's Rebellion, the Land Ordinance of 1785, and how the Old Northwest was managed. Test your knowledge on the foundation of American governance and territorial expansion.