HIS Ch 6
4. In what ways did Alexander Hamilton shape the economic and commercial future of the country?
Hamilton created a national bank to be a depository for federal funds, control inflation, and print paper bank notes. He also favored the rich over the poor in terms of the economy, in turn giving the rich power over the government. He also supported private property and the need for the government to protect that right.
1. What was Shay's rebellion? In what ways did it signal divisions following the Revolution?
Shays rebellion was comprised of farmers who were in debt with creditors and wanted protection from the Massachusetts government. However, the government sided with the lenders causing the farmers to form blockades around the courts to prevent them from writing and sending out foreclosure notices. This signaled the division between those who believed these small rebellions kept the country free, while others believed it needed a strong central government to protect them from anarchy.
3. Why were anti-federalists suspicious of the Constitution? What was the Federalists response to anti-federalists' concern?
they felt that there should be a guarantee of specific rights in the Bill of Rights or American citizens would lose their personal liberties to a powerful government. The federalists went on with ratifying the constitution with attachment of proposed amendments.
2. What was the "Great Compromise" and why was it needed?
The "Great Compromise" was a proposal that stated that each state would have two senators who could vote independently. It also counted the slaves in a state as three-fifths of a person towards their population. This was done to give equal representation to each state and give smaller states power equal to bigger states.
5. What events led to the passing of the Alien and Sedition Acts? What did the laws do?
The federalists feared that the rebellion and radicalism that spurred the French revolution would infiltrate the united states. Also during the French "quasi-war" with American merchant ships, they feared foreign agents causing internal subversion. The Alien Act allowed the federal government to deport foreign nationals, "Aliens", who seemed to pose a national security threat. The Sedition Act allowed the government to prosecute anyone who spoke out or published any rhetoric against the government.
6. What is the significance of the Supreme court ruling in the 1803 case of Marbury v. Madison?
The ruling of Marbury v. Madison gave the supreme court the power of judicial review on a federal level, meaning it has the power to decide if an act of congress violates the constitution. This was a lasting blow to the republican agenda, causing Jefferson to argue that this decision would give the judicial branch too much power.
