study cards
Who were the federalists?
(Jay, Madison, Hamilton) They were supporters of the new constitution and wanted a central government.
What were some of the main weaknesses under the Articles? Provide at least six.
1. The national government had no power to tax 2. No chief executive (i.e., no president) 3. No national courts 4. The national government could not regulate interstate and foreign commerce 5. 9 of 13 states needed for major laws 6. Military forces "donated" by States 7. Irregular attendance of delegates 8. Could not be amended without unanimous agreement
When did the war begin?
1775
When was the Constitution Convention
1787
When was the Treaty of Paris?
After declaration but before constitution
How did America's history as a set of British colonies influence its early national and state governments?
Americans did not want a monarchy they wanted to all be able to vote.
Why was declaring independence a bold gamble?
Because it was considered an act of treason against the British government. This would be acting against their own country or mother country. Treason was punishable by death back then.
Who was Daniel Shays? How was he wronged and what were his complaints
Daniel Shays was an officer in the Continental Army who was known as a distinguished officer. Before joining the army, he was living in poverty as a farmer. He became an important leader in his town after the Revolutionary war
Great Compromise
Each state would have equal representation in the Senate and representation according to its population in the House of Representatives
Why was the "Bill of Rights" added to the Constitution and what sorts of concerns did it address?
It was added so the South would vote and participate and agree to the constitution.
Who is often referred to as "The Father of the Constitution"? Why?
James Madison, because he came up with the main ideas and he came up with the Bill of Rights.
How did the framers deal with the issue of slavery? What were the attitudes of Jefferson, Madison, and Franklin?
Madison and Jefferson together but Franklin came out completely against it. Madison and Jefferson did not like it but they did not come right out and say that because what are you going to do when there free. They're going to want revenge and kill
why was new England colonized?
Religion freedom
How did "Shays' Rebellion" help create pressure for a stronger national government?
Shay's rebellion created pressure because the government wasn't strong enough to interfere and stop the rebellion so they needed to create a private army to stop it proving weaknesses in the government
What compromises were achieved regarding the presidency (i.e., Executive Branch)?
The founders designed the constitution. They are representatives to the people, so not just one president but all of them. So they all compromised together
Who were the Federalists and what were the "Federalist Papers"?
They wanted ratification of the constitution. Federalist Papers were writing by Hamilton and Madison and Jay. It was 85 articles/papers that argued there case
What were the anti federalists afraid of?
They were afraid that a president would gain too much power and dominate both the judicial and legislative branches
who used ideas from john locke?
Thomas Jefferson
Virginia Plan?
Three separate branches of government, Executive, Judicial, and legislative. Wanted a two house legislature
New Jersey Plan?
Was designed to stick closer to the Articles of Confederation. Wanted a single chamber legislature which has the power to raise revenue and regulate trade
What kind of people attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787?
Wealthy Landlords, 55 delegates from every state except for Rhode Island
What is the Declaration of Independence?
a document declaring independence from Britain signed on July 4, 1776 signed by the representatives of the 13 colonies
Articles of Confederation
a new type of government; a set of laws in which two levels of government (state & national) shared fundamental powers. They were so weak.
Federalism
a political system in which authority is shared between a central (national) government and a state or regional government.
what is the intolerable act?
closed the port of Boston as punishment for the Boston tea party
Thomas paine wrote what?
common sense
How did Shays' rebellion expose the weaknesses of the articles of confederation
exposed that we didn't have a central government. Shay's rebellion exposed the weaknesses of the articles of confederation by exposing that the government, Congress, could not form a military or draft because the federal government did not have money due to the fact that they did not have the ability to enforce taxes upon the citizens.
Shays's Rebellion
farmers' protest because of their heavy debt due to taxation
House of burgesses
first law making house in north america
Quebec
first settlement in north america
Who were the Anti Federalists and what did they want?
group of people that were against the ratification of the constitution because government would have too much power and forget about the people's rights
Virginia company?
john smith leader, went to jamestown
What do the federalists want?
needed a stronger national government; main backers of the constitution
halfway covenant
part time membership to kids and grandkids to puritans
Tensions increased with the?
proclamation of 1763
Samuel adams organized the?
sons of liberty
Cornwallis?
surrender at Yorktown
How was the Declaration of Independence created?
their natural rights were not being protected and they had to do something about that.
Why were they were against the ratification of the Constitution?
they believe it wont protect the natural rights.
what happened when the battle of Trenton took place?
they crossed the Delaware to stage a surprise attack on a fort occupied by hessian mercenaries fighting for the British
valley forge?
training ground for Washington and his troops
what is the stamp act?
was the first direct tax on the colonist lead to creation of sons of liberty and daughters of liberty