America Flashcards
What was the social tension resulting from the political situation 1781-87
Shays rebellion 1786, showed need for stronger g, dispersed by 1000 militia, riots Massachusetts assembly, farmers prisoners for not paying tax
1786 New Hampshire called out 2000 militia to disperse farmers, threatening the legislative after they promised paper money
Other disturbances in Vermont, pennsylvania, New York and Virginia
How was the government weak in the period 1781-87
No punishments, no power
Not in session often
Feared western states going independent, 1779 congress allowed western states
1785 land ordinance, land in west was divided and sold
1787 northwest ordinance, instructions on how to set up states
After independence declared states focused on themselves
Foreign policy on the political situation 1781-87
Spain, closed river for American use, jay wanted Spain market and wanted to give them 25 years of Mississippi River, angered American as ready to sacrifice
Britain, John Adams went to ask Britain to leave frontiers, Britain refused as Americans had not fulfilled either, Americans not payed back debt or given back loyalist property
Economic and financial trouble as a result of political situation of 1781-87
Morris, states wanted to tax themselves, congress rejected his Bank of America in 1784, finance minister 1781, wanted a central government bank which had a control of debt and import duties
1784 demands for congress to control trade, all states had different interests, industries needed tariffs, farmers needed free trade
Only income was sale of western lands, $760000 a yea
Rhode Island legalised paper money
Loss of imports from Britain
Commercial waters kept by states weakened USA
Not all bad, new markets, interstate trade dismantled 1780s
Debt, 1783 debt was $41 million both foreign and home, hadn’t payed soldiers
Paper money led to inflation, 1787 7 states had paper money
The American nationalism for a demand stronger national government
Inspired constitutional reform
National heroes
Sense of American
Symbols, 1782 bald eagle, 1777 Stars and Stripes
What was the conservative nationalism demand for a stronger national government
No faith in common people
Power in wealthy for a stronger government
What was the support for the articles of confederation in contrast to the need of a stronger national government
Wanted state powers
The articles worked well, independence, middle ground of self-government with preservation of liberty, gave states responsibilities
How did interstate disharmony change at the demand for a stronger national government
Disputes ended by 1787
1782-85 all states put duties on imports, affected all commerce, raised revenue
1786 New England introduced duties to protect itself
States put themselves first
What was the Virginian and Maryland agreement for the demand for a stronger national government
Dispute over river
1780s national government powerless
1784 madison proposed meeting
1785 agreed states should cooperate on financial and customs policies
Madison saw the effectiveness
Proposed a resolution to the Virginia assembly
What did the proposition from the Virginian and Maryland agreement lead too and what did it do
Annapolis meeting
1786 12 men met representing 5 states
Discussed commercial problems
Congress called after shays rebellion
Proposed a redraft in Philadelphia 1787
Agreed reform was necessary
Madison thought it was hopeful
Was too small to be representative
What was the influence of madison in the Philadelphia convention
Madison knew what was needed
‘Views of the political system of the us’ 1787, need for powerful republic with a centralised government
Who were the delegates of the Philadelphia convention
No Jefferson or Adams, envoys to Britain and France
25th may 1787, 29 delegates from 7 states
What were the principles of the founding fathers
Balanced government
Everyone should have a voice
No ideological rift
All wanted a strong national government
Not many against state sovereignty
Name three key men of the Philadelphia convention
Morris(not the finance guy)
Madison
Wilson
What were the economic motivations of the delegates at the Philadelphia convention
If strong national government, fathers get a lot of money from certificates in public credit, however some of the biggest holders were against a stronger national government, do limitations
Fathers represented the richest group
What was the Virginian plan at the Philadelphia convention
Madison drafted constitution
2 houses which were based on population
First house elected by workers
Legislative had large powers, elect judiciary and executive
Central government could veto state legislative
What was the New Jersey plan as a result of the Philadelphia convention
Small states opposed Virginian plan
Patterson put forward new draft where every state had one vote
Congress could tax, regulate commerce , so states preserved authority
Was rejected by convention
What was the great compromise at the Philadelphia convention 1787
All states in the senate (upper house) would have one vote, lower house ( House of Representatives) would have votes proportional to population
Direct taxation could be distributed according to results of regular censuses
What was the issue of north vs south at the Philadelphia convention
Slavery
South wanted slaves in population not included for tax
North wanted slaves not in population but for tax
Compromise, a slave was included for tax and counted as 3/5 of an American
What was the name of the committee in charge of producing a draft of the constitution
A committee of detail
What was agreed about slavery in the Philadelphia convention
Northern delegates wanted trade to end
Georgia aNd Carolina Delegates said if slave trade impaired in constitution, they won’t accept
North more concerned over securing a settlement than ending trade
Some southern delegates wanted trade to end, so their slaves would be worth more
Agreed congress couldn’t touch the slave trade till 1808
What were the powers of the federal and state governments
Federal government could have an army, make and borrow money, make treaties with foreign, could levy taxes and regulate commerce(last two were new), make laws and any law superior to any state law(new)
States forbidden from starting war, engaging in diplomacy, coining money and laying duties on imports
States retained some power, slavery left too states, each state determined its own suffrage in elections to House of Representatives, states could regulate internal commerce, states exercised jurisdiction in many important areas of civil and criminal law
The federal executive
Would be exercised by a president
He was to be commander in chief of the army and navy
He could make important appointments, like judges
He could conclude treaties ( with senate)
His signature required to make acts of congress law
He could veto acts of congress, veto could be overridden by 2/3 vote of both houses
Could only be removed on impeachment( crime)
Four year term through electoral college
Federal legislature
House of Representatives and the senate were congress
House was all voters for two year term
Senate two senators from each state, serve 6 years, 1/3 elected every two years
Congress could raise money, make laws, declare war, ratify treaties(2/3 of senate had to agree) and veto president with 2/3 vote
The federal judiciary
Agreed independent national judiciary
A Supreme Court, appointed by president with approval of senate
How could the constitution be amended
Required 2/3 majority in each house of congress and 75 % of each state
What were the criticisms of the constitution in 1787
Represented a conservative backlash
Electoral college between people and president
Senators owe their office to state election so no direct vote
Six year terms give senators immunity from pressure
House of Representatives would represent areas as large as 30000, half of Delaware
Two year term was twice as long as most state assemblyman
A lot of criticisms of each area since
Boundaries of state and federal power unclear
Senate became way more powerful than the house
Constitution was 4000 words, the supreme courts interpretation of it is 450 volumes
What was the praise for the constitution 1787
Washington approved
Franklin agreed
Afraid of central control, creates system of checks and balances, executive vs legislative vs judiciary, house vs senate, federal vs state, popular vs indirect election
Was a blueprint
What did the Philadelphia convention outline as the method to ratify the constitution
Had to be ratified by nine states not all 13
Sent to state conventions not legislatures
What was federalists vs anti-federalists
Supporters of constitution called themselves federalists Ironic as constitution took away from state power
Anti constitution was anti-feds gave them a negative role
Federalists supported by men of property, anti fed was farmers
Every major town had fed majority
Anti feds new of 1780s problems but saw constitution as worse
Criticisms were, claimed convention exceeded its mandate to replace articles, feared a national government would destroy sovereignty of states, argued state legislatures were more representative than congress could be, many angered over no bill of rights(protected liberties)
Feds feared anarchy if failed
Fed advantages
Even tho majority of voters against constitution
Feds gave a actual solution to problems, anti Feds had no alternative
Fed support big in towns where state conventions were
Support from two most famous men Washington and franklin
Anti fed across farms not united
Vast majority of papers were fed owned only 5 out of 100 against constitution
What were the first five states to ratify the constitution
Delaware
New Jersey
Georgia
Pennsylvania
Connecticut
The case of Massachusetts ratifying the constitution
Sam adams and John Hancock favoured anti fed
Feds put pressure on them, Boston artisans persuades Adams, Hancock became fed at suggestion of a Vice Presidency
Won over after bill of rights promised
What was the issue with Virginia ratifying the constitution
Opposing forces were balanced, Henry’s attack on constitution, Henry lee ‘letters from a federal farmer’
Madisons reasoned advocacy helped plus his promise for a bill of rights
They ratified
New York issue on ratifying the constitution
When they met, hamilton thought 4/7 people were against the constitution
Hamilton Madison and jay, wrote under publius a series of 85 articles urging constitution, became a classic but did not really influence contemporary opinion
What was the development of republicanism
Paines common sense introduced it, defined as the public good or good of the whole, implied government of everyone who
Appropriate after rejecting British tyranny
What was elitists vs democrats
Democrats, broad franchise, no property requirements
Elites wanted old style
What was the state constitutions
Adams said all states must adopt one
Nearly all reduced property requirements
Principles of republicanism
Patterned of a colonial model
Some places like Virginia the elite can out on top
1776-80 all but two had state constitutions
What were the politics in the states 1777 onwards
They were in charge of trade
Problem of loyalism, needed an oath for the constitution otherwise ban from profession
Finance problem, New York suffered as Britain still occupied it, had to tax a lot, paper money caused inflation
How did the states develop politically towards the freedom of religion in the 1780s
1786 Jefferson’s act for establishments for religious freedom, made religion private
What were the articles of confederation
Proposed in 1774 by Dickinson
Prior congress had no power
Maryland finally ratified 1781
The articles had no power to tax states, 9 states needed for treaties, congress could raise armies, declare war, all states had one vote, there were annual terms
What were the problems of national government from 1777 to 1781
By 1777 small executive boards ran war
No currency as it failed in 1781
No tax, left poor states weak, inflation increased due to war
Only in session sometimes
Had a bad future, confederation by states not people, war had unified without it problem unifying
What was the social impact of slavery after the war
Left untouched in 1787 constitution to keep union safe
Questioned over human liberty
South, few saw as evil, made up 90%, 1771 manumission laws(owners could free slaves)
North, 1781-83 massa banned slavery, 1771 Massachusetts banned trade with Africa, 1777 Vermont abolished slavery in constitution, ideology increased anti
What was the social impact the war had on black people
Promised freedom of fought for Britain, 30000 left as a result, over 3000 gained land in West Indies
1790s 60000 free
Washington banned from army 1775, lifted in 1777 for manpower
What was the social impact on women as a result of war
20000 in army
Became head of the household
The war of independence brought more equality
Indentured servants disappeared
Rich and poor united
Outward social difference gone
The war did not bring equality socially
Limited effects
American leaders saw classes as inevitable
Indentured service was declining already before war
What was the social impact on natives as a result of the war
1784 treaties gave land to America
No sympathy was shown
What were the social impact of the war on men
Many poor men took part in protest
By 1783 over 80000 loyalists emigrated for Britain
What was the positive economic impact of the war
Seized $18 million of Britain
No more navigation acts, Europe
What were the negative economic impact of the war
Did not have Britain as a trading partner
Trade was devastated by blockades
What was the result of the 7 year war in 1763-4
Stronger imperial authority
Colonies didn’t pay much
Bute said 1763 that there should always be 10000 British troops, Pontiac rebellion, Americans get threatened
What was the 1763 proclamation
Banned America from moving west, 30000 ignored by 1768, Britain admitted defeat
What was the currency act 1764
Banned paper money
Angered Americans as couldn’t pay debts
What was the sugar act
1764
Taxed unrepresented Americans
Caused shift in relations with parliament
Duty on products
Only affected New England
Americans feared standing army
How was the sugar act recalled
1765 recalled act
9 colonies argued
1764 Otis said no tax without representation
What angered Americans 1763-4
Currency act 1764
Stamp act 1764
Proclamation 1763
The reaction to 7 years war
Anti smuggling measures
What were the anti smuggling measures
Colonial customs in America
If caught sent to vice admiralty court, undermined Americans
Grenvilles plan, wanted spending reduced and tax increased
What was the stamp act
Announced feb 1765 internal tax on 50 products, gave too much time for opposition
Lighter tax than England
Only would raise £60000 in one year
What was the American reaction to the stamp act through the Virginian resolves
Only Americans can tax Americans
1765 Henry, house of burgesses
8 colonies followed
Passed 7 resolutions against act, threatened resistance
What was the American reaction to the stamp act through mob action
Element of class
Began by Sam adams and the loyal nine in Boston, sons of Liberty
Stamp collectors forced to resign, no one to collect money
Effigies of Oliver and Bute hung from liberty tree, Oliver quickly resigned
What other reactions from Americans to the stamp act were there
1765 boycott on British goods
Affected more people than sugar act
Stamp act congress, 9 colonies denounced the act
What was the repeal of the stamp act
Declaratory act, make sure colonies are aware of sovereignty
America took it well
Grenville didn’t want to repeal
1765 America was against the stamp act not British rule
Marquis of rockingham feared action so repealed, gage was concerned
What were the townshend duties
1767 external tax on goods
Put more power in British customs in Boston
Only 40000 a year
What was the New York restraining act
Townshend wanted the quartering act enforced in NY in 1765 to fix the problem of military accommodation
New York refused
New York restraining act 1767, NY no action till accept, lacked help from other colonies
When did townshend die
1767 so never dealt with consequences
What was the social response to the townshend duties
Sons of liberty reformed
Dickinson ‘letters of a Pennsylvania farmer’ 1768, tax with no consent, condemned the acts on the NY assembly
Americans feared the new American customs, 1768 sons of liberty controlled Boston
What was the political response to the townshend duties
1768 Massachusetts sent out a circular letter asking for action, from Sam adams and Otis, 7 colonies approved
Virginia sent out letter too
Secretary of State, governor bernard dissolved Massachusetts assembly, Bernard asked for troops, 600 men armed, caused tension
1771 committees of correspondence, after repeal, by 1773 over 50, unified colonies
What was the economic response to the townshend duties
Committees introduced to enforce the boycott of goods
All Americans felt they could take part
1768 boycott all goods, not all merchants took part as there was an economic boom
By 1769 every colony except New Hampshire pledged to boycott British goods
Boston massacre
1770
British troops were antagonised and opened fire, Sam Adams claimed it was on purpose
6 out of 8 were aquitted by John Adams
Repeal of the townshend duties
1770 north took over and removed all except tea, as a mark of parliament sovereignty
Townshend duties did not help financially
Led to 3 years of calm, suggest everything’s good
How far did the American ideology change through the townshend duties
Burke MP said it doesn’t matter whether external or internal
Americans felt sorry for Wilkes
What was the American disunity after the townshend duties
Disputes over boundaries and land, NY and New Hampshire
Tensions rich and poor
1768 regulator movement began in North Carolina moved to south, against corruption of tidewater officials, regulators were crushed 1771 at battle of alamance
What was the tea act and the reaction
1773
Aimed to save the east India company
Imposed on Americans
Saw as destroying independence
Violence was threatened, tea agents forced to resign
Boston tea party, 1773 sons of liberty threw £10000 tea into Boston harbour, angered parliament
What was the reaction to the Boston tea party
Coercive acts 1764
Tea party had challenged parliamentary authority
Boston was blocked from trade until all tea was paid for
Massachusetts government act allowed royal governor to appoint and remove most civil officials, town meetings had to have his permission
Impartial administration of justice act provided for the transfer to Britain of murder trials
Quartering act was enforced
Gage was made governor of Massachusetts
What act angered the Americans after Boston tea party
Quebec act 1774
ill timed effort to solve problem of french inhabitants
Seen as confirmation of evil British
Act placed authority with governor without an assembly, suggested to Americans Britain will do this
Extension of Quebec boundary south and west to Ohio looked like blocking expansion of colonies
What was the economic response to coercive acts
Boston called for boycott until Boston port act was repealed
Boston committee of correspondence drafted a solemn league and covenant committing to a boycott, not all merchants convinced, harm america more than Britain and hard to enforce
What was the political response to the coercive acts 1774
Governors dissolved any assembly who denounced the coercive acts, Virginia, by summer 1774 7 dissolved
89 delegates met to denounce the port act
Continental congress, declared coercive acts null, promised non-importation till repeal under the continental association, declaration of rights and grievances, denied parliamentary authority
What was the social response to the coercive acts
1775 42 newspapers
1774 Jefferson said Britain had no authority
1774 independence was discussed in pamphlets such as John Adams in the Boston gazette
What were committees of safety
1774 committees of safety established after continental association, some organised by old elite
Mandate to enforce boycott
Acted as local governments
By 1775 7000 colonists were directly involved
What was the situation in Massachusetts in late 1774
1774 British authority gone
The authority of the provincial congress began preparing for war
Militia units trained
Gage asked for 20000 troops
By 1775 what was the situation in other colonies
Extra legal conventions had taken over traditional authority
Arms and ammunition were stockpiled
New Hampshire seized cannons and arms from British forts
NY still mostly loyal to Britain
Most wanted to still be with Britain only few wanted independence
What was the British determination in 1774-5
1774 gage wrote to north that he should suspend coercive acts, north didn’t
Saw colonies as in state of rebellion
Only 4000 troops sent to America
Some politicians tried, Chatham bill 1775 repeal of coercive acts, Burke offered repeal of all legislation to Americans
North introduced a conciliation plan but it only promised parliament would not tax any colony paying the cost of its own civil administration, Americans did not accept it
1775 Massachusetts declared in state of rebellion, by April extended to most colonies
What happened at Lexington and concord
Gage was ordered to arrest leaders
Sent 700 to colonel smith in concord, to seize rebel arms, and arrest leaders of provincial congress
Massachusetts militia informed before hand by Revere, member of committee of safety
British troops blocked by 70 minutemen at Lexington, 8 colonists killed, British continued, they failed to arrest leaders, on the way back to Boston Americans shot at them, by the time at Boston they had 273 casualties, America only lost 92, then 20000 militia besieged Boston within a week
What was the effect of Lexington and concord
Galvanised military preparations
Conservative Pennsylvania voted for 4300 men
Benedict Arnold seized fort ticonderoga
What and when was the second continental congress
Met 1775 in Philadelphia
65 from all 13 colonies
Congress took charge of war, asked each colony to raise continental army of 20000
Congress voted to issue $2 million in paper money to finance
Why was Washington elected to command the continental army
He had military experience in 7 years war
Southern meant colonial unity
What were the efforts at reconciliation
Many colonies sent delegates to reconcile
Declaration of causes and necessities of taking up arms
Olive branch petition to George 3, he ignored it, ordered all rebellions to be suppressed
Describe the events of bunker hill
1775 b officers arrive, Howe Clinton and Burgoyne
Howe led frontal assault lost 1000 of 1500
Realised rebels were strong
How did Washington take command of the army
July 1775
Only 15000 poorly trained men
Fewer 50 cannons
Lacked any military order
Incompetent officers were removed
Introduced flogging
Boston 1775-6
Washington wanted to attack, feared destruction
Britain had 9000 army inside, more than besiegers
British evacuation of Boston 1776, cannons from Ticonderoga transported 300 miles to point overlooking boston, howes army with 1000 loyalists evacuated Boston to Nova Scotia
What happened in Canada 1775
Americans Arnold and Montgomery invaded Canada 1775
Americans retreated
Montgomery was killed
War in the south 1775-6
Dunmore promised freedom to any slaves who helped Britain, solidified American support in south
British attacked Virginian coastal towns
Loyalists attacked too quick
How did ‘common sense’ aid independence
Sold 120000
Paine argues events meant independence was the only option
Attacked parliament and the king
The situation in early 1776
1775 congress set up committee of secret correspondence to carry out diplomacy with foreign nations
1776 royal governors replaced by rebel governments, congress had all the power (practically independent)
Congress couldn’t give independence as needed colonial conventions, 1776 local organisations urged congress to declare independence
Virginia first colony to propose independence
How did John Locke influence the independence
1600s
If king does not act for his people, the people have the right to overthrow him
Denied the existence of the divine right of kings
Influenced Jefferson
Situation in congress over independence
Henry lee proposed independence
Set up committee to draft declaration
What work did Jefferson do for the Declaration of Independence
Drew ideas from Locke
Case against king in ‘a summary view of the rights of British America 1774’ and 1776 Virginian constitution
His draft was approved by committee
How was independence declared
Mid June Delaware supported
Only NY refused
Jefferson sent draft to congress June, nine in favour, by July 12/13 accepted
1776 July independent
What was and what was in the Declaration of Independence
A legal justification for rebellion
People had right to change government as Locke said
Listed all wrongdoings since 1763
George 3 was accused of absolute tyranny
Britain mobilised 32000 troops
By 1776 how important were economic factors behind independence
Trade grievances were only mentioned once in declaration
America benefitted of mercantilism
Americans were hardly taxed
The principle of taxation caused opposition
How important was ideology in independence
Colonists saw themselves as English so should have the same rights
If Englishmen has to be taxed with consent so did Americans
Americans believed Englishmen wanted to destroy them
To what extent was British policies at fault for independence
Britain tried to squeeze money from Americans, sped up independence
Parliament was undermined 1765 and 1767
After Boston tea party, north became stubborn
What defence is there of british policies as a cause for independence
Understandable Britain didn’t expect a rebellion
1765 little indication of anger
Britain was demonised for no good reason
Parliament had sovereignty
America was a valuable resource to Britain
America used excessive violence
By what year were all 13 colonies introduced and what were the three groups they were split into
1732
New England, middle colonies, southern colonies
Who were the colonies made up of
400000 emigrated
Scot-Irish - 150000
Indentured servants
African slaves, by 1763 350000 90% in south
Native Americans
By 1760 only half English
