Chapter 6: Strengthening the New Nation
separation of powers
the division of political responsibility between three branches of government
Anti-Federalists
the belief that a president and strong national government would become corrupt
There was intense disagreement over how much power the federal government should be given in the Constitution._____ were concerned with preserving individual and states' rights.______on the other hand, wanted to expand the power of the national government.
1)Anti-Federalists 2)Federalists
What political innovations did the 1787 Constitutional Convention develop for the new nation? The presidency was a new position created by the Constitution. Some delegates felt that Congress should appoint the president. Others felt that the president should be elected directly by the people. How did the Constitutional Convention determine how the president would be elected, and why was the system of election created?
As a compromise between direct election by the people and election by Congress, members of the Electoral College would vote for the president every four years.
How did the federal government raise revenue under Alexander Hamilton's leadership?
Congress imposed a 5 to 10 percent tariff on a variety of imported items. Congress began issuing government bonds in 1790.
Many social and political elites in the new republic worried that the new democracy undermined them and empowered the poor and "middling classes." They feared class hierarchies were disappearing and that the lower classes were usurping their power. Which of the following were likely to have exacerbated this fear?
Exeter Riot Shays's Rebellion The reduction and elimination of property-owning qualifications for voting
The Constitution expanded the role of the national government, balancing the powers reserved for the states with those needed for a stronger and more effective national government. What was innovative about this concept, which came to be known as federalism?
Federalism allowed the national government to collect taxes, support a military, borrow money, and create a national currency. Federalism empowered the national government to regulate commerce and international relations. Federalism created principles for maintaining a supreme national government that shared power with the states.
During George Washington's presidency, Congress passed the Naturalization Act of 1790. Its passage reflected support for which of the following opinions?
Free white immigrants should be free to renounce their original citizenship to become American citizens. The United States should embrace immigrants from around the world.
Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson strongly conflicted over their opposing views on American government and the economy. A committed Federalist, Hamilton believed in a strong national government. He worried that without careful federal government control, democracy would lead to a tyranny of the masses. Jefferson, a Republican, advocated for an agrarian, democratic nation with a weak federal government. He was confident in the abilities and intentions of the lower classes and believed that power should be closer to the people. Based on these differences, match the following quotes with the image of the person who said them.
Hamilton-"The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge or determine right." Jefferson- "The will of the majority, the natural law of every society, is the only sure guardian of the rights of men."
How did Federalists ease the fears of the anti-Federalists and protect individual liberties in the Constitution?
In 1791, the first ten amendments to the Constitution were passed. They were known collectively as the Bill of Rights, and they protected individual rights from the power of the state.
What was the significance of the XYZ Affair?
It involved the accosting of American diplomats by French officials, which intensified anti-French sentiment in the United States. It led Federalists in Congress to vote to construct warships and increase the size of the army.
The Constitution was ratified, but only after the Constitutional Convention recommended adding a bill of rights that would limit the power of the federal government and protect individual liberties. What was unique about the freedom of religion guaranteed in the First Amendment?
It prevented the government from mandating a national religion or restricting religious practices.
In 1794, Chief Justice John Jay went to London to settle issues between Britain and the United States. Identify Jay's goals during the negotiation.
Jay wanted the U.S. merchants' right to trade with the British West Indies restored. Jay wanted the British to stop impressing Americans into their navy. Jay wanted to make the British leave their forts along the northwestern border of America.
Passed amid a surge of patriotic energy due to the possibility of war with France, the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 were laws that gave the president extraordinary powers. Match the following Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 to their intended purpose.
Naturalization Act-Increased the number of years that an immigrant needed to live in the United States to become a resident from five to fourteen Sedition Act- Outlawed writing, publishing, or speaking anything against the government Alien Friends Act-Empowered the president to deport "dangerous" aliens
The creation of a powerful national bank was central to Alexander Hamilton's vision of a strong national economy. Farmers were suspicious that bank alliances with the wealthy would put the financial stability of debtors, usually farmers, at risk. Hamilton's vision prevailed. How did those who opposed a national bank frame their opposition?
Opponents argued for a strict interpretation of the Constitution, which had not explicitly granted the government the power to create a national bank.
The first ten amendments to the Constitution addressed objections of anti-Federalists over safeguards for individual liberties. Identify the rights protected by the Bill of Rights.
Protection of the right to refuse to testify against oneself protection of the right to refuse to house soldiers. Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures
After the ratification of the Constitution, opposing visions emerged for governing the country that led to the formation of political parties. Identify these two political parties, matching the political party with its vision for the new federal government.
Republicans-championed a vision of an agrarian nation ruled by a federal government with limited power Federalist- promoted Alexander Hamilton's economic reforms, a strong central government, and urban and commercial growth
Regional friction in the nation was deepened because southerners and frontiersmen in the West believed that Alexander Hamilton's economic policies unfairly taxed them.
TRUE
Passed amid a surge of patriotic energy due to the possibility of war with France, the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 were laws that gave the president extraordinary powers. Match the following Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 to their intended purpose.
The Alien Friends Act- empowered the president to jail and deport "dangerous" aliens. The Sedition Act- outlawed writing, publishing, or speaking anything against the government increased the number of years that an immigrant needed to live in the United States to become a resident from five to fourteen
After the colonies declared independence in 1776, the Articles of Confederation established a new American government in 1777. Americans did not trust powerful centralized governments after their experience with the British monarchy. What were some of the ways that the Articles kept the national government in check?
The Articles of Confederation limited the national government's ability to make agreements with other nations. The Articles of Confederation limited the powers of the Congress so it could not regulate trade or impose taxes. The Articles of Confederation established a congress, and members were appointed by the state legislatures.
How did the Articles of Confederation lay the groundwork for America's future political structure?
The Confederation government established the principles of land distribution and territorial government. The Articles of Confederation supported the concept of republicanism.
Although the Constitution starts with the phrase "We the people," large groups of the population were not protected by the original document. Complete the passage below describing who was left out of the Constitution's protections.
The Constitution did not protect the interests of both Native Americans, who were not considered citizens unless they paid taxes, and enslaved African Americans, who were formally denied citizenship according to the Naturalization Act of 1790. Additionally, there was never any formal discussion of the rights of women at the Constitutional Convention. This came as a disappointment to those who sought political equality after the Revolutionary War.
How did the Great Compromise resolve the conflict between states with large populations and states with small populations?
The Great Compromise created a legislative branch with two houses that counterbalanced each other. Under the Great Compromise, the more populous states would have more representation in the House of Representatives, whereas every state would have equal representation in the Senate. The Senate protects states' rights by giving each state two seats, regardless of population.
Put the events that led to the adoption of the Constitution in chronological order.
The final draft of the Constitution is submitted to the states for approval. Delaware ratifies the Constitution. New Hampshire ratifies the Constitution. The Bill of Rights is added to the Constitution.
What were the primary weaknesses of the government created by the Articles of Confederation?
The national government lacked the power to tax. The nation lacked a judiciary.
How did the French Revolution divide America?
Thomas Jefferson resigned as secretary of state in support of the French Revolution. President Washington and the Federalists refused to support the French Revolution.
James Madison proposed the_____________ which called for a new federal constitution and a Congress with two houses. Under Madison's plan, states with large populations would have more representatives than smaller states. Madison's critics wanted states with smaller populations to maintain equal representation in Congress. William Paterson submitted an alternative to Madison's plan. Paterson's ______________ advocated keeping the current representation and structure of Congress with one house. Even Madison's critics, however, agreed to allow Congress to levy taxes, regulate commerce, and appoint a supreme court.
Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan
What was America's position on the war between revolutionary France and Britain in 1793?
Washington refused to take sides and issued a neutrality proclamation.
Republicanism
a form of government in which leaders who are elected and bound by the rule of law
The Bill of Rights amended the Constitution to address the concerns of_________ who wished to resist the growing power of the federal government. The Bill of Rights safeguarded the individual rights of__________ but it did not correct the omission of Native Americans, enslaved African Americans, and women from Constitutional protections._____________ on the other hand, defined the rights of enslaved African Americans as race-based slavery became the norm in the South.
anti-Federalists property-owning white men Slave codes
Once the final draft of the Constitution was submitted to the states for review, the national debate over the Constitution began. Complete the passage below describing Federalist essay No. 10.
minorities the majority
Federalism
the sharing of power between national, state, and local governments
legislative branch (the House and the Senate)
• can declare war and make peace • can impeach or bring up the chief executive on legal charges • makes laws
Judicial Branch
• can interpret the U.S. Constitution • ensures that all citizens receive equal justice under the law
Executive Branch
• can veto acts of Congress • functions as chief diplomat • responsible for the execution of laws