APUSH- Unit 3- Forming New Nation: Articles of Confederation

Creating a national government that met everyone's needs was hard- what were the questions that needed to be answered?

- How to balance individual liberty with maintaing order? -How to balance property rights with equality? -How to create a centralized government without creating a new tyrannical authority?

In 1775, three committees were formed to sever ties with England- name them and the assigned heads

- Thomas Jefferson headed committee to draft Declaration of Independence -John Adams headed committee to establish foreign alliances -John Dickinson headed committee to draft a new central government - Articles of Conferation

The written constitutions created in 1776 by the new states followed three similar ideas:

- clearly defined the citizens' rights & the limits of government -Guaranteed natural rights; Eight states had Bills of Rights -almost all states reduced the powers of the governor & kept most power in the hands of the people via sate legislatures.

What did the Land Ordinance of 1785 do?

- established an orderly process for laying out western townships

What were the primary objectives of the American's republic government?

-Government with no king or aristocracy -Power held by the citizens ("uncompromising commitment to liberty & equality:)

It was difficult to pass laws and amend the new constitution because...

-Laws required 9 of 13 states for approval -Amending AofC required agreement by all 13 states

What were the basic ideas in the Articles of Confederation?

-National govt set-up in order to protect state sovereignty -Confederation style national govt (each state treated as pseudo-nation) with unicameral congress (1 vote per state) -no national president (too similar to monarchy)

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 gave structure to the NW territory. How?

-created new territories, ruled by a governor/ citizens were protected by a bill of rights -residents could create a legislative assembly when the population reached 5,000 Residents could apply for statehood with 60,000 people -Slavery outlawed in NW lands.

What problems did the "West" present?

-many states had overlapping land claims in the West -Some "landless" states (MD,NJ,DE) wanted part of West and refused to ratify the Articles without this issue resolved -The US govt negotiated treaties with Indians to gain land in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky

The only powers (expressed powers) granted to the national government via AoC:

-settle disputes between states, negotiate treaties, handle Indian affairs, oversee a military

The powers of the new national government was outlined via___. When was this Document proposed and ratified?

Articles of Confederation proposed in 1777, ratified in 1781

Impact of American Revolution on American Society- intention

Attempted to eliminate the idea of aristocracy by making land and voting more accessible

Who was Benjamin Banneker?

He was a free African American scientist, surveyor, almanac author and farmer. Born in Maryland, Banneker had little formal education and was largely self-taught. Banneker's knowledge of astronomy helped him author a commercially successful series of almanacs. He corresponded with Thomas Jefferson on the topics of slavery and racial equality. Abolitionists and advocates of racial equality promoted and praised his works.

Who drafted the Articles of confederation? when?

John Dickinson 1775

According to the Land Ordinance of 1785, section 16 of each township was dedicated to what?

Public Schools

Who was Phillis Wheatley?

She was both the second published African-American poet and first published African-American woman.[Born in Senegambia, she was sold into slavery at the age of seven and transported to North America. She was purchased by the Wheatley family of Boston, who taught her to read and write, and encouraged her poetry when they saw her talent. The publication of her Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773) brought her fame both in England and the American colonies; figures such as George Washington praised her work. Wheatley was emancipated after the death of her master John Wheatley, however, died in poverty and illness.

The ideas of freedom gained from the revolution led to unintended changes affecting black slaves. Explain some of the issues and ideas that progressed

Slavery was seen as contradictory to the idea of the the American Revolution by many. Blacks demanded the right to freedom in petitions and lawsuits. Franklin, Jay, and Hamilton founded abolition societies. VT, PA MA abolished slavery. Washington manumitted his slaves.

Membership in the revolutionary assemblies reflected differences in the economies and societies of the various states that often generated political conflict. According to pie charts of 5 assemblies within Powerpoint, what were the major differences between norther and southern state assemblies?

The majority of the members from the north were farmers, business owners, or professionals (dr, lawyer); whereas a third of the south's members were plantation owners or large land owners which meant they depended on slavery for their livelihood

After Independence was declared in 1776, the colonies did not wait to gain British recognition of their independence before crating new governments, instead they did what...

They formed states and a nation via state created written constitutions

The US govt was eager to sell off Western lands to settlers- why?

To gain revenue (since the govt did not have the power to tax)

Virginia took the lead to solve the "West problem". What did it do and what followed?

Virginia ceded its western claims to the national govt. Other states followed (Maryland was the last state to ratify AofC). By 1781, Congress gained sovereignty over all western land (allowed for the national bureaucracy)

The Revolution also led to unintended changes affecting the role of women in society. Explain their increased status.

Women, as mothers, were given the responsibility of instilling virtue in their children "Republican Motherhood. They also took greater control over family farms and businesses (during revolution- had to do while men fighting).--continued afterwards.

The revolution did introduce "freedom", but it did not deliver...

abolition, universal male suffrage, or women's equailty

The Articles of Confederation accomplished its intended short-term goals, but....

failed to meet long-term US needs.

Americans set out to create what form of government after independence was declared.

republican

What was the greatest success of the Articles of Confederation?

settling Western lands

The AoC did not allow the government to tax citizens or states, instead...

the national government could only request contributions

What is the significance of the quote: "People do not chop off heads so readily when they can chop down trees."

violence was avoided partly b/c of available land, most large loyalist land holdings cut up and sold off, land was the gold of the post revolutionary period (Western land)