Constitution Historical Background
Why were foreign or domestic creditors reluctant to lend more money to the United States?
foreign investors were highly reluctant to invest in private companies of which they knew little. They were more willing to invest in state government securities. As a result, American state governments turned abroad to fund their banking and transportation industries
How many votes in Congress did each state have?
One
What was the compromise reached over the issue of counting slaves? What was the compromise reached over the issue of slavery, commerce, and export taxes?
"Delegates at the Constitutional Convention eventually reached a compromise to count slaves as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of Congressional representation. To appease Southern slave-holding states, Congress agreed not to ban the importation of slaves until 1808."
What was the oath of secrecy? Why did the delegates adopt it?
"GNWT employees have a duty of loyalty to the GNWT as their employer. The duty of loyalty, affirmed through the Oath of Office and Secrecy, requires employees to serve the GNWT to the best of their ability. The release of confidential information that employees receive through the course of their employment may have a significant impact on the GNWT's ability to manage its affairs or to maintain a perception of impartiality and integrity with its clients and the public. To protect the interests of the GNWT, its clients and the public, confidential information that employees receive through their employment must not be divulged to anyone other than persons who are authorized to receive the information both during their employment and after they terminate their employment. As well, employees must not use confidential information, or their ability to access such information, for the purpose of furthering any private interest or as a means of making personal gains......." "The delegates deliberated throughout the summer until they adjourned on September 17, 1787, with a Constitution to present to the states for ratification. ... Many of the delegates believed the rule of secrecy was necessary to the success of the Convention."
What did the original Constitution consist of?
"The Articles of Confederation was the first written constitution of the United States. Stemming from wartime urgency, its progress was slowed by fears of central authority and extensive land claims by states before was it was ratified on March 1, 1781. Under these articles, the states remained sovereign and independent, with Congress serving as the last resort on appeal of disputes. Congress was also given the authority to make treaties and alliances, maintain armed forces and coin money. However, the central government lacked the ability to levy taxes and regulate commerce, issues that led to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 for the creation of new federal laws."
What was the compromise (both names), which settled the issue between the large and small states and became the "heart" of the new constitution? Who wrote and presented this compromise?
"The Connecticut Compromise (also known as the Great Compromise of 1787 or The Sherman Compromise) was an agreement that large and small states reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that in part defined the legislative structure and representation that each state would have under the United States. It was written and presented by Roger Sherman. The bill of rights became the heart of the new constitution"
How many delegates were selected to attend the convention? How many of that number actually attended? What was the average daily attendance? At the end of the convention, haw many delegates were left?
"Those who did not attend included Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams and, John Hancock. In all, 55 delegates attended the Constitutional Convention sessions, but only 39 actually signed the Constitution." *I could not find the other questions
What determined whether or not the states would fulfill their obligations to the government under the Articles?
"Under these articles, the states remained sovereign and independent, with Congress serving as the last resort on appeal of disputes "
The convention was planned to begin on May 14, 1787, but did not actually begin until May 25. For what two reasons was there an eleven-day delay?
*I couldn't find the answer but this is what I could find* "The first day began when a quorum of seven state delegations was reached. (The original start date for the convention was May 14, but travel and other problems delayed the convention's start.)"
What was the general public attitude toward the convention?
*I couldn't find this answer* But my guess is that the people were happy with the constitutional convention because the delegates were figuring out a way to make the government stronger for the people.
What southern patriot leader did not accept his selection as a delegate to the convention because he "smelt a rat?"
-The Massachusetts General Court rejected Sam Adams as a delegate because he opposed a stronger national government, and his fellow firebrand from Virginia, *Patrick Henry* refused to attend because he "smelt a rat."
What was the significance of the Annapolis Convention?
A meeting called by the state of Virginia held in Annapolis, Maryland, in September 1786 to which all 13 states were asked to send delegates. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the commercial problems besetting the United States under the Articles of Confederation.It was an important rallying point in the movement toward a federal convention to revise the inadequate Articles of Confederation.
What issue delayed ratification of the Articles?
Bickering over land claims between Virginia and Maryland delayed final ratification for almost four more years.
What was the only branch of government the Articles created?
Central government .... The national government had limited powers under the Articles of Confederation. For example, the central government could not levy taxes or regulate commerce. Additionally, there was not an executive or judicial branch of government under the Articles.
Describe the debates of the convention.
Debates erupted over representation in Congress, over slavery, and over the new executive branch.
Why were the states reluctant to give financial aid to congress?
Congress did not know how to handle the money that's why the state debt was so high and they could not tax so it was hard to get the money
What was the primary concern of the Congress and the states during the confederation period?
Congress serving as the last resort on appeal of disputes. Congress was also given the authority to make treaties and alliances, maintain armed forces and coin money.
Who was the floor leader of the convention that organized the daily agenda of the convention?
George Washington
Since he was the president, or governor, of Pennsylvania, who was the official "host" of the convention?
George Washington or James Madison *I am not sure*
What were the two major accomplishments of Congress during the confederation?
Government successfully waged a war for independence against the British. ... Government provided for the eventual admission of Canada into the Confederation. Government passed the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which allowed the Northwest Territories to organize their own governments.
In what city and in what building was the convention held? What is the current more popular name of that building?
Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
What Prominent signer of the Declaration was not asked to attend the convention?
I could not find this one but is it John Dickinson?
Who complained about the failure of the confederation government? What was his opinion of the confederation government?
In 1786, James Madison wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson detailing the economic problems caused by disorganization and competition between the states: "The States are every day giving proofs that separate regulations are more likely to set them by the ears than to attain the common object. When Massachusetts set on foot a retaliation of the policy of Great Britain, Connecticut declared her ports free. New Jersey served New York in the same way. And Delaware I am told has lately followed the example in opposition to the commercial plans of Pennsylvania. A miscarriage of this attempt to unite the states in some effectual plan will have another effect of a serious nature....I almost despair of success."
Who was chosen as the president of the convention? Who was chosen as then official secretary of the convention?
In 1787, George Washington was the president of the convention and William Jackson was the offical secretary of the convention
What New York delegate argued for a strong central government? What model did he want the new government based upon?
In New York, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison pushed for the ratification of the Constitution in a series of essays known as The Federalist Papers. The essays, published in New York newspapers, provided a now-classic argument for a central federal government, with separate executive, legislative and judicial branches that checked and balanced one another. With The Federalist Papers influencing the New York delegates, the Constitution was ratified on July 26.
Who was the "head of the government" under the Articles? What was the limited job of the president of the Congress? What couldn't he do?
In November 1781, John Hanson..Hanson didn't really enjoy his job either, and found the work tedious and wished to resign. the United States had no executive branch. The President of Congress was a ceremonial position within the Confederation Congress. Although the office required Hanson to deal with correspondence and sign official documents, it wasn't the sort of work that any President of the United States under the Constitution would have done. He could not veto laws ...-https://www.constitutionfacts.com/us-articles-of-confederation/john-hanson-story/
What was the "committee of the whole?" Why did the convention use it so much?
In the United States House of Representatives, the Committee of the Whole, short for Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, is a parliamentary device in which the House of Representatives is considered one large congressional committee. They used this because they had to compromise on everything.
What was the major obstacle in making changes to the Articles themselves?
In the first, an amendment may be proposed by a two-thirds vote in each house of Congress. The approved amendment then must be ratified by majority votes in the legislatures or conventions of three-fourths of the states before it can become part of the Constitution.
What were the two issues to be resolved between the North and the South?
Issues concerning slavery, culture, economics and the Constitution
What kind of "league" did the Articles create?
It was a "league of friendship" which was opposed to any type of national authority.
Who kept a secret journal of the convention and its proceedings? What name was given to this secret journal?
James Madison, The Writings of James Madison, vol. 3 (1787, The Journal of the Constitutional Convention, Part I) [1902
Whose resolution leads to the creation of a new government for the United States?
John Adams
The major point of disagreement in the convention was on what issue? And failure to resolve this issue would have resulted in what?
One of the major compromises in the Constitutional Convention was between the small states and big states. The small states wanted each state to have the same number of representatives in Congress. The big states wanted representation based on population. * Failure to resolve this would have resulted in probably a dictatorship like government
What was the approval process of the states called? How many states had to approve the document?
New States Clause,.... 9 of the 13 states had to approve the document.
What issue did the northern delegates reluctantly allow to die because pursuing it would have broken up the convention?
Not being able to tax because the USA was severely in debt so the new constitution needed to be able to tax
What subject did the delegates decide to let the new constitution remain silent about?
Slavery? Or the 3/5 Compromise ...?
The basis of the new government under the Articles was "states rights." What does that mean?
States' rights are political powers reserved for the state governments rather than the federal government according to the United States Constitution, reflecting especially the enumerated powers of Congress and the Tenth Amendment. Ex: Arizona laws are different than California laws
From who did the demand for stronger government come?
The American people**
What kind of government did the Articles create?
The Articles of Confederation created a confederation in the United States of America. A confederation is a government in which the state government has dominant power. A confederation is more of an agreement between separate bodies to cooperate with each other.The leaders of the new nation were scared that a strong, centralized government would lead to tyrannical monarchy like the British government.
What was the name given the series of compromises reached between the northern and southern states?
The Compromise of 1850 and the Fugitive Slave Act
What was the final compromise of the convention?
The Connecticut Compromise (also known as the Great Compromise of 1787 or The Sherman Compromise) was an agreement that large and small states reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that in part defined the legislative structure and representation that each state would have under the United States Constitution. It retained the bicameral legislature as proposed by Roger Sherman, along with proportional representation in the lower house, but required the upper house to be weighted equally between the states. Each state would have two representatives in the upper house.
What were the original names of the Constitutional Convention?
The Constitutional Convention (also known as the Philadelphia Convention, the Federal Convention, or the Grand Convention at Philadelphia)
Where was the first meeting held to find a way to solve the problems of the country under the Articles?
The Constitutional Convention of May 1787 was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
How many states attended the convention? Which did not?
The Constitutional Convention of May 1787 was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where delegates from 12 of the 13 states were present. The state of Rhode Island refused to send a delegate because it was afraid of losing its states' rights.
How long did the convention meet?
The Constitutional Convention[1]:31 (also known as the Philadelphia Convention,[1]:31 the Federal Convention,[1]:31 or the Grand Convention at Philadelphia[2][3]) took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
What was the other, more common, name of the New Jersey Plan? Who presented it to the convention? What were its major provisions?
The New Jersey Plan (also known as the Small State Plan or the Paterson Plan) presented by William Paterson at the Constitutional Convention on June 15, 1787.The New Jersey Plan was one option as to how the United States would be governed. The Plan called for each state to have one vote in Congress instead of the number of votes being based on population.
What was the major goal of the New Jersey Play?
The New Jersey Plan (also known as the Small State Plan or the Paterson Plan) was a proposal for the structure of the United States Government presented by William Paterson at the Constitutional Convention on June 15, 1787.[1] The plan was created in response to the Virginia Plan, which called for two houses of Congress, both elected with apportionment according to population.[2] The less populous states were adamantly opposed to giving most of the control of the national government to the more populous states, and so proposed an alternative plan that would have kept the one-vote-per-state representation under one legislative body from the Articles of Confederation. The New Jersey Plan was opposed by James Madison and Edmund Randolph (the proponents of the Virginia state Plan).The New Jersey Plan was presented in the form of eleven resolutions drafted by William Paterson was collectively proposed by delegates from the small states consisting of New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, and Delaware. The New Jersey Plan detailed a legislature of only one house and featured equal representation in which each state had the same number of representatives. The goal was for smaller states to have the same level of power in the legislature as the large states. The New Jersey Plan, like the Virginia Plan, also called for Separation of Powers consisting of legislative, executive, and judicial branches
What kind of "union" were the Articles intent on creating?
The Perpetual Union is a feature of the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, which established the United States of America as a national entity. Under modern American constitutional law, this concept means that U.S. states are not permitted to overthrow the U.S. Constitution and withdraw from the Union.
Who was responsible of the enforcement of the laws passed by Congress?
The President
What is unique about the language of the Constitution?
The U.S. Constitution has 4,400 words. It is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world.
Why is the Constitution called a "bundle of compromises?"
The US Constitution has been called a "bundle of compromises" due to the fact that the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 had to compromise on numerous key points in order to create a new Constitution that was acceptable to each of the states.
What was the other, more common, name of the Virginia Plan? Who presented it to the convention? What were its major provisions?
The Virginia Plan (also known as the Randolph Plan, after its sponsor, or the Large-State Plan)
What was the major goal of the Virginia Plan?
The Virginia Plan was presented in the form of fifteen resolutions that detailed reasons why the Articles of Confederation should be radically altered and plans for a strong National Government that could collect taxes and make and enforce laws. The Virginia Plan was based on a national and state government system with a Separation of Powers consisting of legislative, executive, and judicial branches. A bicameral legislature (two houses) consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate would feature proportional representation.
Who took the first step towards strengthening the government?
The delegates and founding fathers
What was the first constitution of the United States? Who was the author? Who adopted it?
The first constitution of the United States was the Articles of Confederation. The author was James Madison. Congress adopted the Constitution.
What was the primary responsibility of the states under the Articles?
The impetus for an effective central government lay in wartime urgency, the need for foreign recognition and aid, and the growth of national feeling. Altogether six drafts of the Articles were prepared before Congress settled on a final version in 1777.** or**The laws of state responsibility are the principles governing when and how a state is held responsible for a breach of an international obligation. Rather than set forth any particular obligations, the rules of state responsibility determine, in general, when an obligation has been breached and the legal consequences of that violation.
What was the "critical period?"
The term America's Critical Period refers to the period of United States history in the 1780s after the American Revolution and prior to the ratification of the United States Constitution. In 1781, the United States ratified the Articles of Confederation and prevailed in the Battle of Yorktown, the last major land battle between British and American forces in the American Revolutionary War. American independence was confirmed with the 1783 signing of the Treaty of Paris. The fledgling United States faced several challenges, many of which stemmed from the lack of a strong national government and unified political culture. The period ended in 1789 following the ratification of the United States Constitution, which established a new, more powerful, national government.
What was Shay's Rebellion? What was the impact on the state and patriot leaders?
There was a depression and they could not pay their state taxes. The state was seizing the farmers' land. The angry farmers demanded that the state stop the farm sales. The farmers wanted to have the state issue more money so that they could get loans. Daniel Shay's led an uprising of angry farmers. The impact on state and patriot leaders was lead to the revision of the Articles of Confederation at the Philadelphia Convention in 1787.
What kinds of men were chosen as delegates?
These delegates were selected by their states. They were educated, patriotic, and experienced men, ranging from the ages of 40 to 81.
What was the major problem between Congress and the states over the laws and treaties Congress made?
They did not agree with the laws and the treaties that Congress made because it inflicted with their rights
What patriot leader was not present at the convention because he was serving as United States minister to France?
Thomas Jefferson
What patriot and Revolutionary War leader was not chosen because his views on national government were considered out of touch?
Thomas Paine?
What were the major obstacles in making laws under the Articles?
Under the Articles of Confederation, no provisions were made for an executive branch to enforce the laws nor for a national court system to interpret them. A legislative Congress was the sole organ of the national government, but it had no power to force the states to do anything against their will.
What historical "term" has been given to the writers of the Constitution?
United States Founding Fathers
What patriot leader was not present at the convention because he was serving as United States minister to the royal court in England?
William Jackson
What did delegates decide would be a quorum? How many votes would each state have? What vote would be required to approve proposals?
a majority needed to conduct business.A quorum is the minimum number of members of a deliberative assembly .?
Whenever the Congress met, what was the primary focus or concern of the delegates? Why?
life, liberty and property for the American citizens because that is the foundation of the United States of America .. "to devise such further provisions as shall appear to them necessary to render the constitution of the Federal Government adequate to the exigencies of the Union."
What issue was ignored or not covered by the Articles?
no provisions were made for an executive branch to enforce the laws nor for a national court system to interpret them.
What committee and person wrote the Constitution into its final form?
on September 8, a "Committee of Style and Arrangement" - *Gouverneur Morris* (Pennsylvania)
What major commercial power was denied to Congress under the Articles?
tax or duty on state exports
What major power was denied Congress under the Articles?
tax, regulating trade between states
What was the original purpose of the convention? What quickly became its real purpose?
the Convention was intended to revise the Articles of Confederation, the intention from the outset of many of its proponents, chief among them James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, was to create a new government rather than fix the existing one. The delegates elected George Washington to preside over the Convention. The result of the Convention was the creation of the United States Constitution, placing the Convention among the most significant events in the history of the United States.
What committee was formed to reach an agreement on this issue?
the Gerry Committee
Who handled the affairs of the United States when Congress was in recess?
the Senate?? I could not find this one
What replaced the Second Continental Congress as the government of the United States?
the United States Declaration of Independence which was approved on July 4,1776
What was the only kind of powers given to congress under the Articles?
the power to declare war, appoint military officers, sign treaties, make alliances, appoint foreign ambassadors, and manage relations with Indians.
