Articles of Confederation quiz

What were the 2 good things from the Articles of Confederation?

Land Ordinance of 1785, Northwest Ordinance.

What type of national/federal government did the Articles of Confederation set up?

One house legislature (makes laws.) Each state had 1 vote in the Congress. No executive branch. No judicial branch.

Antifederalists. Who were they? What did they want?

Opponents of the ratification of the Constitution. George Mason, Patrick Henry. Constitution weakened the States, Wanted a Bill of Rights. Was he a President or King?

The Great Compromise.

Virginia Plan proposed a legislature with the number of representatives based on population. The NJ plan proposed a legislature with 2 representatives per state. The Compromise a two house congress: The House of Representatives would be based on population. Senate would have 2 representatives per state.

Federalists Papers

A series of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION What was the purpose and what happened?

1787. Goal: Revise the Articles of Confederation. Delegates from 12/13 states arrived. They formed a new Constitution with a stronger central government. It was debated and passed by 9/13 states. It called for: 3 branches of government: judicial, executive, legislature. legislature- debate over representaives- The Great Compromise. Three-fifths compromise.

Checks and balances/Separation of Powers

3 branches of government: executive, judicial, legislature. No one branch can get too powerful. Legislative branch: Makes the laws: Congress: Senate & House of Representative. Executive Branch: President. Carries out the laws, commander-in chief of military, negotiates treaties, appoint Supreme Court justices, represents U.S. with other nations Judicial Branch: Supreme court that interprets the laws.

Ratification

Approve

Structure of the Government- Articles of Confederation vs. The Constitution?

Articles of Confederation: No executive branch, no judicial branch. Had legislative branch but 9/13 states had to pass laws. Weak federal government. Couldn't collect taxes, or print or borrow money, couldn't form a military or stop rebellions. The Constitution: 3 branches of government- Legislative-makes laws, executive/president-carries out the laws, represents the U.S., commander in chief of military. Judicial- Supreme Court. Interpret the laws.

Who had the majority of power in the Articles of Confederation vs. The Constitution?

Articles of Confederation: states the majority of power. The Constitution: Balance of power/checks and balances between the 3 branches of government. The people have the power in representative government.

What couldn't Congress do under the Articles of Confederation?

Congress couldn't regulate trade or collect taxes.

Amendment Process

Congress must pass an Amendment with a 2/3 vote. Then it goes to the states, the must pass with a 3/4 vote. Then it is passed/ratified.

Why was there debate over whether or not to ratify the Constitution?

Federalists vs. AntiFederalists. Federalists: Wanted a strong Federal government. AntiFederalists; They thought the constitution weakened the state power and individual freedom. Some wanted the Bill of Rights Some didn't like the President being able to be elected over and over. Could be like a King.

Why did they set up this type of government?

It was a limited central/federal government. States had more power. They did not want the federal government to have too much power like Britain/Parliament.

What was the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?

SET UP A 3 STEP PROCESS FOR ADMITTING NEW STATES. It set up a system for the land in the Northwest Territory, North of the Ohio River. Congress appointed a governor, secretary, & 3 judges. When the territory had 5,000 free adult males, it could elect a legislature, 60,000 and it could ask to become a state. 5 states were added- Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin.

Shay's Rebellion-What was it and why was it significant?

Shays Rebellion was an uprising of the farmers in Massachusetts. There was a depression and farmers could not pay their state taxes. The state was taking/seizing the farmers' land. Angry farmers demanded the state to stop the farm sales. They wanted the state to issue more money so they could get loans. Daniel Shays led an uprising of farmers. The state militia finally stopped the rebellion. It was significant because it let to the revision of the Articles of Confederation at the Philadelphia Convention in 1787. Many felt that a stronger central government would protect against unrest like Shays Rebellion.

Federalists, Who were they? What did they want?

Supporters of the New Constitution who wanted a strong federal/central/national government. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay.

What was the Land Ordinance of 1785?

System of land sales and settlement. Public land was divided into townships 6miles by 6 miles. The townships were divided into 1 mile squares, sold for no less than $1 per acre. One section was set aside in each town to support schools. Showed that democracy depended on education.

Why were the Articles of Confederation a failure?

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS TOO WEAK. 9 out of 13 states had to approve a proposal to become law. The Federal government had to ask to states for money because they couldn't tax. Only the states could tax. The federal government couldn't print or borrow money. The Federal government could not form a military or protect the country from rebellion-like Shay's rebellion.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments (change) to the Constitution. Purpose: to protect Americans against unfair use of government powers. freedom of speech, religion, press. Right to bear arms, government can't force citizen to quarter soldiers, unlawful search of homes...