Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary concern of the Anti-Federalists regarding the new Constitution?
What was the primary concern of the Anti-Federalists regarding the new Constitution?
What document is known for addressing the arguments made by Anti-Federalists?
What document is known for addressing the arguments made by Anti-Federalists?
Which feature distinguishes the U.S. Constitution from the Articles of Confederation?
Which feature distinguishes the U.S. Constitution from the Articles of Confederation?
Who was unanimously selected as the first president by all states during the election process?
Who was unanimously selected as the first president by all states during the election process?
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How did Federalists use their resources to support the Constitution's approval?
How did Federalists use their resources to support the Constitution's approval?
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What type of representation was established in the House of Representatives?
What type of representation was established in the House of Representatives?
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Which document required ratification by the legislatures of nine out of thirteen states?
Which document required ratification by the legislatures of nine out of thirteen states?
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What compromise stated that enslaved individuals would be counted as three-fifths of a person?
What compromise stated that enslaved individuals would be counted as three-fifths of a person?
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Which group supported the proposed federal system of government that divided powers between central and state governments?
Which group supported the proposed federal system of government that divided powers between central and state governments?
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Which region opposed slavery more significantly by the 1780s?
Which region opposed slavery more significantly by the 1780s?
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What was the main concern of Henry and Adams regarding the national government?
What was the main concern of Henry and Adams regarding the national government?
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What term describes the practice of counting enslaved individuals for representation purposes in Congress?
What term describes the practice of counting enslaved individuals for representation purposes in Congress?
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Who were the individuals that opposed the changes brought about by the Constitution?
Who were the individuals that opposed the changes brought about by the Constitution?
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What was one of the key arguments during the debates about the Articles of Confederation?
What was one of the key arguments during the debates about the Articles of Confederation?
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What kind of representation did the Virginia Plan advocate for?
What kind of representation did the Virginia Plan advocate for?
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What was the nature of the executive branch established by the delegates?
What was the nature of the executive branch established by the delegates?
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How did the New Jersey Plan differ from the Virginia Plan?
How did the New Jersey Plan differ from the Virginia Plan?
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What type of legislature did the New Jersey Plan propose?
What type of legislature did the New Jersey Plan propose?
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What power was granted to the national government by both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans?
What power was granted to the national government by both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans?
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What was the outcome of the debates regarding the representation issue?
What was the outcome of the debates regarding the representation issue?
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What did the term 'Great Compromise' refer to in the context of the Constitutional Convention?
What did the term 'Great Compromise' refer to in the context of the Constitutional Convention?
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What prompted political leaders to debate reforming the government in 1786?
What prompted political leaders to debate reforming the government in 1786?
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What was Alexander Hamilton's primary belief regarding government?
What was Alexander Hamilton's primary belief regarding government?
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Which of the following individuals opposed giving more power to the central government?
Which of the following individuals opposed giving more power to the central government?
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What was the main concern of political leaders when replacing the Articles of Confederation?
What was the main concern of political leaders when replacing the Articles of Confederation?
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What role did James Madison play in the formation of the national government?
What role did James Madison play in the formation of the national government?
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What was one of the outcomes of the Newburgh Conspiracy?
What was one of the outcomes of the Newburgh Conspiracy?
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What aspect of government did the Founders struggle to balance during the Constitution's creation?
What aspect of government did the Founders struggle to balance during the Constitution's creation?
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What did Madison believe the national government should represent?
What did Madison believe the national government should represent?
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Study Notes
Writing the Constitution
- Objective: Recall the process of creating the Constitution and the role of the Great Compromise.
- Replacing the Articles of Confederation: Many Americans in 1787 felt the existing Articles of Confederation were inadequate. Leaders debated how to fix them.
- Balancing Liberty, Order, and Democracy: The Articles of Confederation were designed to prevent national government interference with states. However, cracks appeared, leading to debates over how to restructure the US government.
- Shays's Rebellion: A farmers' revolt in Massachusetts in 1786 highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles, prompting debates about government reform. The debate focused on finding a balance between liberty, order, and democracy.
- Debating the Role of Government: Alexander Hamilton strongly favored a strong central government to solve economic problems. In 1783, he planned the Newburgh Conspiracy. James Madison argued that states' inability to solve national issues risked the country's dissolution. Madison believed national power should come from the people (not just the states).
- Opposition to a stronger central government: Prominent patriots like Patrick Henry and Samuel Adams opposed proposals for more central power. They feared the consequences of too much power in the federal government.
- Differences in opinion: The conflicting views about the balance of power threatened to derail the attempt to reform the Articles of Confederation.
The Constitutional Convention
- Delegates: In May 1787, 55 delegates from 12 states (excluding Rhode Island) met in Philadelphia. Disagreements existed about how states should be represented in Congress.
- Virginia and New Jersey Plans: The Virginia Plan proposed proportional representation based on population, while the New Jersey Plan proposed equal representation for all states.
- The Great Compromise: Delegates resolved the representation issue with a bicameral legislature: the House of Representatives (proportional representation) and the Senate (equal representation).
- Three-Fifths Compromise: Disagreement over how to count enslaved people for representation led to the Three-Fifths Compromise, counting each enslaved person as three-fifths of a free person. This compromise was a controversial and problematic aspect of the new constitution. Southern states wanted to count all slaves for representation, while Northern states, increasingly focused on abolition, wanted little or no consideration of enslaved people.
- Chief Executive: Delegates decided the chief executive would be chosen independently of the legislature.
Ratifying the Constitution
- Ratification Process: Nine of the thirteen states needed to ratify the Constitution before it could go into effect.
- Federalists and Anti-Federalists: Federalists supported the Constitution. Anti-Federalists opposed it.
- The Federalist Papers: 85 essays collectively known as the Federalist Papers addressed arguments made by Anti-Federalists.
- Bill of Rights: Anti-Federalists' concerns about individual liberties led to the demand for a Bill of Rights as a condition to ratifying the Constitution.
- First Elections: In 1788, Americans voted for members of the new national bicameral Congress (Senate and House of Representatives).
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Description
This quiz explores the creation of the U.S. Constitution, focusing on the debates surrounding the Articles of Confederation and the Great Compromise. It examines significant events like Shays's Rebellion and the contrasting views of key figures such as Alexander Hamilton and James Madison about governance. Test your understanding of the balance between liberty, order, and democracy.
