US Government Chapter 2

Anti-Federalists

Against the New Government. They thought the new central government was too strong and they argued that the Constitution needed a Bill of Rights. Example-Robert Yates ans Richard Henry Lee

Shays Rebellion

Indebted farmers and other small property owners lost land and possessions when they could not pay their debts or their state taxes. Daniel Shays led a group of farmers in revolt. People realized a stronger government was needed.

Powers of Congress Under the Articles of Confederation

Make war and peace Make treaties and handle ambassadors Borrow money and set up a money system Build a navy and raise an army Set standards of weights and measures Settle disputes between the states

Federalists

Supporters of New Government. They thought Articles of Confederation were weak and needed to be replaced. Example-Alexander Hamilton, James Madison

Characteristics of Articles of Confederation

The Articles created a single unit of government-The Congress. There were no executive or judicial branches. Each state elected delegates (representatives) each year and each delegate had one vote in Congress. Each year the Congress would elect the president of the Congress (but not the nation).

What weaknesses in the articles of Confederation made a lasting government impossible?

The Confederation Congress lacked key powers - it could not raise taxes or regulate trade. The Congress could not make states obey the laws it passed. 9 of 13 state delegations had to agree before Congress could act. The Articles could only be changed with the consent of all 13 state legislatures

Constitutional Congress

The Philadelphia meeting, held in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation, turned into the Constitutional Convention. Instead of revising the Articles, it would replace them with something new.

Problems with the Articles of Confederation after the Revolutionary War

They refused to supply troops or money. Some made their own treaties with other nations. Most raised their own military forces. They taxed goods from other states and banned trade with some states. They printed their own money (led to poor economy, value of money decreased and people had more debt).

New Jersey Plan

a plan calling for a central government with a unicameral (1) legislature and equal representation of all the states.

Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

an agreement forbidding Congress from taxing state exports or interfering with the slave trade for at least 20 years

ratification

formal approval of a proposal

Articles of Confederation

the agreement, effective in 1781, that established the first central government of the United States

Framers

the individuals who attended the Philadelphia Convention The Constitutional Convention began on May 25, 1787, with 55 delegates. The Framers elected George Washington as president of the convention. On May 30th, the Framers decided to replace the Articles of Confederation.

Weaknesses of Congress

Only a "firm league of friendship" among States Only one vote for each State, regardless of size Congress powerless to levy taxes or duties Congress powerless to regulate commerce No executive power to enforce acts of Congress No national court system Amendments required the consent of all States A 9/13 majority required to pass laws.

The states promised to

Obey the Articles and acts of Congress Provide funds and troops requested by Congress Treat citizens of other states fairly Respect the laws and court rulings of other states Allow open travel and trade among states Submit interstate disputes to Congress Turn over fugitives from other states

Virginia Plan

a plan that called for a central government with three branches, with each state's representation in a bicameral (2) legislature based mainly on population (or based on how much $ given to the central government)

Three-Fifths Compromise

an agreement to count each slave as three fifths of a person when determining state population (South wanted to count slaves as part of the state population since Slavery was more common in the South, but Northern states did not. Slavery was legal in all states except Massachusetts).

Connecticut Compromise

an agreement to divide Congress into two houses, one (House of Representatives) with representation based on state population and one (Senate) with equal representation for all states