1780's

Question 1

Summarise Jefferson’s political career during the 80’s

Answer 1

Governor of Virginia 1779 and 1780, U.S Minister to France 1785-90

Question 2

How did Britain do in the south in 1780?

Answer 2

Lincoln surrendered at Charleston May 1780, 5k taken prisoner, Gates defeated by British at Camden Aug 1780, Cornwallis Marched from South to North Carolina but went south again when NC rose up against British

Question 3

How did General Nathanael Greene impact the war?

Answer 3

Used hit and run tactics, lost at guildford court house Mar 1781 - but Cornwallis lost 1/4 of his men, also defeated at Hobkirk’s but Lord Rawdon didn’t capitalise on his victory so British hold on south remained tenuous

Question 4

What was the numerical advantage to the Americans at Yorktown?

Answer 4

16K to 10K

Question 5

What landmarks contributed to the loss at Yorktown?

Answer 5

Canon forts could be turned around if Americans got them and could be fired onto Yorktown

Question 6

How many Americans died in the Revolutionary war?

Answer 6

25K

Question 7

What caused the British loss at Yorktown?

Answer 7

Numerical disadvantage, bulk of British navy was in WI, good American leadership vs bad british leadership, intervention of foreign powers, Howe and Germain wanted a campaign, but Clinton (in overall command) preferred Cornwallis’ forces behind strong fortifications

Question 8

How many Americans died of disease in the war?

Answer 8

17K

Question 9

What military incompetence caused Britain to lose the war?

Answer 9

Burgoyne left for dead at Saratoga, lack of reinforcements for Clinton meant later marching date = loss @ Saratoga, Burgoyne underestimated enemy and terrain

Question 10

What logistical problems caused the British downfall?

Answer 10

Took 2-3 months to send reinforcements, no reinforcements after France joined, lack of naval power after france joined, Burgoyne 200 miles away from Canada and short of supplies (supplies not readily available)

Question 11

What did the 1783 Treaty of Paris do?

Answer 11

Officially ended war; Britain, France, Spain and Dutch republic would acknowledge U.S, both sides pay reparations, Britain keep trade with U.S, only states east of Appalachian mountains would be recognized

Question 12

What did congress decide in 1786?

Answer 12

NA lands could only be taken by legitimate military conquest or land purchase

Question 13

What was the 1787 North West Ordinance?

Answer 13

Established a way territories would become integrated into the union

Question 14

How would new territories be integrated into the union?

Answer 14

Set up governor for area N of Ohio, territorial judges appointed to ensure order, when 5k landowning white inhabitants: legislature could be elected, could sent non-voting representative to congress, no slavery N of Ohio, when pop 60K could join union and become a state

Question 15

What happened to property qualifications to vote in the states?

Answer 15

Only Penn abolished, Mass increased them, in Maryland only 10% could vote

Question 16

In which ways were the articles the basis of a national government?

Answer 16

Each state had a vote, Congress could declare war, treaties need approval of at least 9 states, articles couldn’t be amended w/out the consent of all 13 states

Question 17

How were the articles of confederation not the basis for a national government?

Answer 17

There was no national executive/ judiciary, Congress had no power to levy taxes, regulate trade or enforce financial requisitions

Question 18

How many loyalists had emigrated by 1783?

Answer 18

80K

Question 19

How was trade impacted after the war?

Answer 19

Tobacco production 1/3 pre war levels, international trade disrupted, new markets increased, manufacturing improved, colonies placed tariffs on imported goods

Question 20

Who did the Mississippi river belong to?

Answer 20

In 1786, the spanish owned it for 25 years

Question 21

How were creditors impacted after the war?

Answer 21

Creditors preferred to be paid in foreign coins (gold and silver doesn’t lose its value), people who lent govt money needed stronger govt to tax people to get their money back, states didnt agree on tariffs

Question 22

What did slave owners want?

Answer 22

Property rights to slaves

Question 23

What is specie?

Answer 23

Gold/ coined money

Question 24

What is fore closure?

Answer 24

Taking possession of a mortgaged property when the mortgagee fails to keep up payments

Question 25

Why was the 1787 Philadelphia convention called?

Answer 25

West traders and southern landowners wanted protection from NA and European imperial powers, merchants wanted protected tariffs, creditors wanted stable currency, debt from 1783 $7.9 million to $11.9 million, mount vernon and Annapolis meetings and Shays’ rebellion prompted a call for a national meeting

Question 26

Who was at the Philadelphia convention?

Answer 26

Everyone but RI attended, 60% delegates lawyers, people mainly in 40’s and 50’s

Question 27

Why did the Americans reject the initial system presented with the bicameral chamber?

Answer 27

Too close to british sysyem

Question 28

How did the bicameral system work?

Answer 28

HOR states represented via population, in Senate each state had 2 senators, both houses of congress to pass each law

Question 29

What did the HOR and Senate have the power to do?

Answer 29

Legislature has to approve presidential appointments, HOR can impeach president, Senate then act as judge - if found guilty goes to criminal trial, legislature can over ride presidential vetoes, legislature has to ratify treaties and can declare war, could make new courts,

Question 30

How often were the HOR elected and what didn’t they have the power to do?

Answer 30

Every 2 years, can’t pass laws that change the constitution

Question 31

What did the executive have the power to do?

Answer 31

To call special sessions at congress, commander-in-chief, veto Bills, grant reprieves and pardons, appoint judges to fill vacancies in court

Question 32

How did the court work?

Answer 32

Could legislature on constitutional issues, could interpret laws and presidential actions, when on supreme court it was for life

Question 33

How long did the Senate serve?

Answer 33

6 years, 1/3 elected every 2 years

Question 34

What was needed to amend the constitution?

Answer 34

2/3 vote HOR, 3/4 vote Senate

Question 35

What was the situation regarding slaves?

Answer 35

40% of NC, SC and Georgia pop slaves, if slavery abolished then wouldn’t sign constitution, slave counted as 3/5 of a person

Question 36

What did federalists (Democrats) believe in?

Answer 36

Usually wealthy, favour strong govt, supported taxation, believed in centralised army to defend possible attackers to collect taxes

Question 37

What did non-federalists (Republicans) believe in?

Answer 37

State sovereignty, state should remain right to tax, thought govt would be virtual monarchy, felt no need for standing army, opposed to checks and balances, centralised army could oppress people, more faction = more diversity = less likely of a tyrannical majority

Question 38

What was the Virginia plan?

Answer 38

Mainly Madison’s work, 2 houses - representation by proportion, 1st house elected, 2nd house elected by those in 1st chamber, legislature elect executive and judiciary, central govt could veto state legislation, first plan @ Philadelphia convention

Question 39

What was the NJ plan?

Answer 39

Single chamber, each state had 1 vote, central govt could tax and regulate commerce but state sovereignty remained

Question 40

What was the Hamilton plan?

Answer 40

2 houses, lower elected every 3 years, that house then elected senators to serve for life, they also elected a single governor who would serve for life, could veto any Bills

Question 41

What did Robert Morris do?

Answer 41

Appointed superintendent of finance in 1781, made bank of America (hoping it could be national bank) but govt severed ties in 1784, attended to amend articles to levy a 5% duty on all imports but unanimity not attainable, resigned 1784

Question 42

What was a blow to the status of Congress in 1786?

Answer 42

States integrated national debt into their state debts

Question 43

What was Shays rebellion?

Answer 43

1786, uprising in MASS, people lost land as they couldn’t pay in specie, daniel shays led an armed rebellion to federal arsenal, put down by militia men

Question 44

What happened as a result of Shays’ rebellion?

Answer 44

Could imprison anyone at will, riot act meant groups over 12 could be sent to prison and tried for treason, Sam Adams suggested hanging those in rebellion, horsemen had gone to Boston to reprieve leaders, exaggerated story from press

Question 45

What was the Mount Vernon meeting?

Answer 45

1785, MARY and V discussed issues over access to Potomac river, then went on to recommendations for co op pm financial and customs issues, PA invited as well

Question 46

What was the Annapolis meeting?

Answer 46

NJ, NY, Delaware, Pen and V discussed commercial reform - Sept 1786, set up 1787 Phil Convention

Question 47

What did the 1989 Judiciary act do?

Answer 47

Establish system of federal courts, supreme court could overturn state laws which weren’t constitutional

Question 48

Who was head of the state department in 1789?

Answer 48

Thomas Jefferson