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Birth of a Nation (Unit III) Flashcards

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0
Q

What was the problem with large states vs. small states?

A
  • not so much the land, but the pop.

- issue = power

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1
Q

List the 12 problems facing America after the Revolutionary War

A
  1. Huge debt
  2. fight for power between national govt. & state govt.
  3. large vs. small states
  4. fight over Western lands
  5. different states have different money (currency)
  6. conflicts w/ GB & Spain
  7. conflicts w/ Native Americans
  8. economic wars between the states
  9. slavery
  10. Loyalists issues
  11. lack of manufacturing base
  12. common man vs. elite
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2
Q

What was the problem with the fight over Western lands?

A

states thought they were gonna expand so there were arguments over who should get what land

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3
Q

What was the problem with different states having different money (currency)?

A
  • slows/hurts trading

- All this different money was floating around & no one knew what it was worth

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4
Q

What was the problem with conflicts w/ GB & Spain?

A
  • GB refuse to give up their forts in the West

- Spain controlled New Orleans & blocked off the Mississippi River from Americans

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5
Q

What was the problem with conflicts w/ Native Americans?

A

GB & Spain were supplying Native Americans w/ weapons (guns)

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6
Q

What was the problem with economic wars between the states?

A
  • states were taxing each other’s trade (goods) & this would limit trade
  • this was hurting the economy
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7
Q

What was the problem with slavery?

A
  • divided America

- north vs. south

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8
Q

What were loyalists?

A

Colonists that wanted to remain with GB

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9
Q

What did many loyalists do?

A

Moved to Canada (which was a British colony)

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10
Q

What did the loyalists have issues with?

A

-treatment
**were not treated well by colonists, not well liked
compensation
-were supposed to be paid back but not happening BC of huge debt & dislike from colonists towards them

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11
Q

What was the problem with a lack of a manufacturing base?

A

Lacking industry

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12
Q

What was the problem with the common man vs. elite?

A
  • elite = upper class
  • social differences
  • problems w/ power in govt.
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13
Q

What is the elite?

A

Upper class

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14
Q

What was created at the 2nd continental congress?

A

The AOC

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15
Q

What is the AOC?

A

loose union of the 13 states that ruled from 1781-1789 (the 1st govt.)

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16
Q

Did the AOC work?

A

No it failed

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17
Q

What could the AOC (national govt.) do? (what powers did it have)

A
  1. declare war
  2. make peace
  3. borrow money
  4. set value of money
    create national currency
  5. settle disputes between the states
  6. conduct foreign relations
  7. create an army/navy
  8. pass laws
  9. could change the AOC
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18
Q

How did the AOC set a value of money?

A

Created a national currency

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19
Q

Under the AOC, what was required to pass laws?

A

a 9/13 vote

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20
Q

How could the AOC be changed (amended) under the AOC?

A

required ALL 13 states to agree

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21
Q

What were the weaknesses/problems with the AOC?

A
  1. 9/13 votes needed to pass law
  2. No power to tax
  3. All states needed to fix (change) AOC
  4. delegates (reps) in AOC were there for 1 yr
  5. delegates are appointed by state legislatures
  6. one vote per state
  7. AOC has one branch = Congress = legislature
  8. no power to regulate commerce (trade)
  9. no power to draft troops
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22
Q

What was the weakness/problem with 9/13 votes needed to pass laws?

A
  • too difficult

- today –> majority

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23
Q

What was the weakness/problem with no power to tax?

A

national govt. (AOC) had to ask the states for money

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24
Q

What was the weakness/problem with all states needed to fix (change) AOC?

A

It was basically impossible

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25
Q

What was the weakness/problem with delegates (reps) in AOC being in there for 1 yr?

A

not enough time to learn/experience/improve govt

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26
Q

What was the weakness/problem with delegates being appointed by state legislatures?

A

people did not get to elect their leaders in AOC

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27
Q

What was the weakness/problem with one vote per state?

A
  • hurt the large states
    • they had larger populations
  • was an issue of power
    • more reps = more power
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28
Q

What was the weakness/problem with the AOC having one branch = Congress = legislature?

A
  • no division of power / no checks & balances

- no executive = no leadership

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29
Q

What was the weakness/problem with no power to regulate commerce (trade)?

A

problems among states

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30
Q

What was the weakness/problem with no power to draft troops?

A

had to ask states for soldiers

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31
Q

What was the significance of the AOC?

A
  1. too much power for state govts.
  2. AOC (national govt.) could not solve many of the nation’s problems
  3. Northwest Ordinance (1787)
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32
Q

What yr. was the Northwest Ordinance?

A

1787

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33
Q

What 2 things did the Northwest Ordinance do?

A

1 created a single territory out of all the western lands

2. also made rules to create new states

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34
Q

Who did the Northwest Ordinance give ownership of the Western lands to?

A

The national govt.

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35
Q

What rules were made under the Northwest Ordinance?

A
  1. pop. had to be at least 60,000
  2. had to have institutions created
    * court houses
    * schools
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36
Q

When was Shays Rebellion?

A

1786-1787

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37
Q

Where did Shays Rebellion take place?

A

Massachusetts

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38
Q

What lead to Shays Rebellion?

A

Conflicts between creditors & debtors as the economy worsens

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39
Q

What are creditors?

A

Those who lend money & own land

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40
Q

What are debtors?

A

Those who borrow money & rent land

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41
Q

What’s the deal with war veterans leading up to Shays Rebellion?

A

They’re owed money by the national govt. bc the national govt. cant tax to get that money

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42
Q

What ends up happening to debtors who cannot pay their bills?

A

Go through foreclosure of their homes/land

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43
Q

Why was foreclosure particularly bad for people back then?

A

If you lost your land, you lost your job which is farming so basically you’re stuck with nothing to do to help yourself

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44
Q

What happens as a result of all the conflicts between creditors & debtors?

A

Rebellions throughout America

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45
Q

Who was the leader of the most important rebellion resulting from creditor vs. debtor conflicts?

A

Daniel Shays

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46
Q

How did Shays Rebellion protest?

A

Protesters close courthouses/burn documents

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47
Q

why can’t the AOC stop Shays Rebellion?

A
  • AOC can’t draft troops

- no army to stop the rebellion

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48
Q

how is Shays Rebellion ended?

A

the creditors hire a small “army” to end the rebellion

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49
Q

describe the significance of Shays Rebellion (brief)

A
  1. Demonstrates that AOC is too WEAK

2. Perfect timing

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50
Q

why are the AOC too weak?

A

bc states have too much power

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51
Q

describe the perfect timing aspect of the significance of Shays Rebellion

A

Annapolis Meeting - Jan. 1786
-discuss trade wars / govt. problems
-Alexander Hamilton was in charge of the meeting
-5 states & 12 men attended
-meet again next year
-Shays Rebellion occurred between 1st & 2nd meeting
-agreed to meet in Philadelphia [Philadelphia Meeting]
-May 1787
-12 states & 55 men attended
Sign.: that meeting became the Constitutional Convention

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52
Q

describe the Annapolis meeting of 1786

A 
Annapolis Meeting - Jan. 1786
discuss trade wars / govt. problems
Alexander Hamilton was in charge of the meeting
5 states & 12 men attended
meet again next year
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53
Q

describe the Philadelphia meeting of 1787

A
  • Shays Rebellion occurred between 1st & 2nd meeting
  • agreed to meet in Philadelphia [Philadelphia Meeting]
  • May 1787
  • 12 states & 55 men attended
  • Sign.: that meeting became the Constitutional Convention
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54
Q

where was the Constitutional Convention held?

A

Philadelphia

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55
Q

when did the Constitutional Convention occur?

A

May-Sept. of 1787

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56
Q

what was the Constitutional Convention?

A
  • originally a meeting to fix the AOC
  • Annapolis 1786
  • Philadelphia 1787
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57
Q

who was at the Constitutional Convention?

A 
Founding Fathers (FF)
-55 men from 12 states (Rhode Island did not attend)
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58
Q

describe the characteristics of the FF

A
  1. wealthy / powerful / prestige
  2. well educated
  3. experienced in govt.
  4. relatively young
  5. religious
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59
Q

what was the avg. age at the time of the FF?

A

44 yrs.

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60
Q

what religion were most of the FF?

A

Christian

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61
Q

name the key leaders of the Constitutional Convention

A
  1. James Madison
  2. George Washington
  3. Alexander Hamilton
  4. Benjamin Franklin
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62
Q

what did James Madison bring to the convention?

A

the Virginia Plan

63
Q

describe James Madison

A

shorter gentleman

64
Q

describe George Washington’s involvement in the convention

A
  • most famous American –> very powerful
  • presence brought credibility to convention
  • president of the convention
65
Q

what was Alexander Hamilton’s involvement in the Constitutional Convention?

A
  • strongest supporter for powerful national govt.

- basically invented the American economy

66
Q

how did Hamilton get into the Constitutional Convention?

A

he befriended Washington (connection to convention)

67
Q

what was Benjamin Franklin’s involvement in the Constitutional Convention?

A

-oldest one there = wisdom = hard to yell at = peacemaker

68
Q

who was James Madison referred to as?

A

Father of the Constitution

69
Q

describe the Virginia Plan

A

new govt. based on 3 branches

  1. legislative
  2. executive
  3. judicial
70
Q

what was the Key decision at the Constitutional Convention?

A

-FF decide to scrap the AOC & create a new govt.

71
Q

do the FF have authority to scrap the AOC & create a new govt.?

A

NO

72
Q

how do the FF get away with creating a new govt.?

A

they have Washington & are the rich & powerful leaders of America

73
Q

describe the rules at the Constitutional Convention

A
  1. create new govt.
  2. debate in secret
    people would feel more free to speak the truth
  3. one vote per state
  4. majority rules
74
Q

when is the legislative branch discussed in the Constitution?

A

Article I

75
Q

what part of govt. did the FF consider the most important?

A

Legislative

76
Q

why was legislative branch considered most important by FF?

A

it’s the most representative branch

77
Q

what kind of legislature did the VA Plan call for?

A

bicameral legislature (2 houses)

78
Q

how would the lower house work according to the VA Plan?

A
  • rep. based on state’s pop.

- proportional

79
Q

how would the upper house work according to the VA Plan?

A

upper house is elected by the lower house

80
Q

what is the significance in the bicameral legislature of the VA Plan?

A
  • favors large states (bc lower house will elect people from their own states into the upper house so that their state gets more representation)
  • rejected by small states
81
Q

describe the NJ Plan

A

one-house legislature - equal rep.

82
Q

what was the significance in the NJ Plan?

A
  • favors small states

- rejected by large states

83
Q

what is the Great or Connecticut Compromise?

A
  • bicameral legislature
  • 2 houses: lower & upper
  • lower: rep. based on states’ pop. - proportional
  • upper: equal rep. - 2 per state
84
Q

what is our bicameral legislature referred to as?

A

Congress

85
Q

what is the lower house called?

A

House of Representatives

86
Q

what is the upper house referred to as?

A

Senate

87
Q

In what Article is the executive branch found in the Constitution?

A

Article II

88
Q

What did the FF fear?

A

a strong executive (President)

89
Q

Why were the FF afraid of a strong executive?

A

bc of their previous experience with the King of GB

90
Q

What was on the verge of happening bc of the FF fear of a strong executive?

A

on the verge of creating a weak executive branch where the executive has very few powers

91
Q

What happened at the convention bc of the executive branch being on the verge of being weak?

A

Alexander Hamilton’s Speech

92
Q

What does Alexander Hamilton’s Speech explain?

A

explains reasons for a strong executive branch

93
Q

Who wins when it comes to the executive branch?

A

Hamilton (w/ his speech)

94
Q

How long was Alexander Hamilton’s Speech?

A

5 hours

95
Q

In what Article is the judicial branch found?

A

Article III

96
Q

Describe the judicial branch’s appearance in the constitution

A

most vague / least details

97
Q

What is the Supreme Court?

A
  • court that’s above all the rest in America

- has the ultimate judicial power

98
Q

Describe the Supreme Court’s power

A
  • main power: to interpret the constitution

- can declare laws unconstitutional

99
Q

Was the supreme courts main power in the constitution?

A

NO

100
Q

how did the Supreme Court “get” it’s power to interpret the constitution and declare laws unconstitutional?

A
  • it was written about by Hamilton

- it just became accepted by everyone

101
Q

What concern came up when creating the constitution?

A

slavery

102
Q

What did slavery do to the country?

A

divided America North vs. South

103
Q

What was the North’s position on slavery?

A

some that wanted to ban slavery

104
Q

what was the South’s position on slavery?

A

needed it for their economy

105
Q

What was the dilemma at the convention concerning slavery?

A

if north attempted to ban slavery, then south wouldn’t accept new govt.

106
Q

What was the Three-fifths Compromise?

A

each slave counts as 3/5 person when counting a state’s pop.

107
Q

What did the 3/5 Compromise affect?

A

of reps in House of Reps.

108
Q

What was the Slave Trade compromise?

A

slave trade could be banned by Congress but not until 1808

109
Q

What was the Escaped Slave Clause?

A

escaped slaves had to be returned to their owners

even in the North

110
Q

What was the goal of escaped slaves?

A

many slaves were trying to make it to Canada which was owned by Britain who banned slavery

111
Q

Do the words “slave” or “slavery” ever appear in the constitution?

A

No

112
Q

We never see the words “slaves” or “slavery” in the constitution..why?

A
  • North hoped to eventually end slavery with this new govt.

- North was also ashamed that their country had slavery & they didn’t want to stain their document with those words

113
Q

What does ratify mean?

A

To accept

114
Q

What is the Ratification Process?

A

a process to accept the constitution

115
Q

How did the Ratification Process work?

A
  • required 9/13 states to agree

- each state voted through a state convention

116
Q

What was Washington’s philosophy on Shays Rebellion/AOC and people?

A

people won’t do what’s in their best interest unless they are forced to

117
Q

What was Washington implying with his philosophy about people and the AOC?

A
  • AOC are too weak - they don’t have coercive power

- therefore, we need a stronger national govt.

118
Q

Wha was Washington afraid of?

A
  • He’s afraid people will bring back a monarch and mess everything up
  • He just fought 8 years against it!!
119
Q

What was washingtons opinion about the country?

A

Believes country is failing

120
Q

Why does Jefferson feel rebellions are good?

A

Rebellions are good bc it leads us to question govt. & therefore govt. fixes itself

121
Q

What is the constitution?

A

the supreme law of the land

122
Q

What does the constitution being the supreme law of the land mean?

A

National govt. is more powerful than the state govts.

123
Q

Describe the entire constitution

A

short & vague (lacking details)

124
Q

Why is the constitution being short & vague a good thing?

A
  1. It can be changed as times change

2. It can be interpreted as times change

125
Q

What is the preamble?

A

the intro to the constitution

126
Q

What are the state govt. goals in the preamble?

A
  1. States = one country
    - benefits all & improves lives
  2. establish justice
  3. keep peace
  4. national defense
  5. general welfare
    - prevent poverty, hunger, disease, etc.
  6. protect our rights
127
Q

basically, what is Popular Sovereignty?

A

Popular = people, Sovereignty = rule

just a fancy word for democracy

128
Q

What is popular sovereignty?

A

ultimate political authority rests w/ the people

129
Q

What does popular sovereignty mean for Americans?

A

they have the right to rule themselves

130
Q

What is the sign. in popular sovereignty?

A

Americans are practical

  • elections = control over leaders
  • in essence, representative democracy
131
Q

what is Limited Govt.?

A

right of minority groups must be protected

132
Q

what is a minority group?

A

people whose viewpoint is not the accepted viewpoint in America

133
Q

What does limited govt. mean for people?

A

people had a right for their voice to be heard
…therefore, Bill of Rights
-ex. Freedom of Speech

134
Q

what is the Separation of Powers?

A

power distributed among 3 branches

135
Q

What is the sign. in the separation of powers?

A
  1. prevent tyranny

2. makes branches responsive to diff. pressures

136
Q

What are checks & balances?

A

each branch of govt. exercises some some restraining power over the other branches (also between 2 houses of Congress)

137
Q

describe an example of checks & balances

A

creation of a law:
leg. branch: pass bill (majority vote)
executive branch: sign bill (therefore law) OR veto bill
leg. branch: override veto…need a 2/3 vote to override
judicial branch: interpret Constitutional & can declare law unconstitutional
leg. branch: propose amendment

138
Q

What is the sign. in the checks & balances system?

A
  • FF sought to prevent accumulation of all powers in 1 branch
  • stop encroachment of 1 branch upon another
139
Q

What is the problem with the checks & balances system?

A

creates deadlocks/prevents quick decisions… What if their is a crisis?

140
Q

What is federalism?

A

govt. where power is divided & shared between a national govt. & state govts.

141
Q

What is the sign. of federalism?

A

compromise between extreme concentration of power & loose organization of state govts.

142
Q

What are the 3 types of powers?

A
  1. Enumerated
  2. Reserved
  3. Concurrent
143
Q

What are enumerated powers?

A

powers given to the national (federal) govt. (delegated)

144
Q

Where are enumerated powers found?

A

in the Constitution

145
Q

What is the Necessary & Proper Clause?

A

Congress (national govt.) can make specific laws to carry out their vague powers

146
Q

What does the Necessary & Proper Clause do for the national govt.?

A

increases power of national govt.

147
Q

What are reserved powers?

A

powers given to the state govt.

148
Q

Where are reserved powers found?

A

10th Amendment

149
Q

What does the 10th amendment state/mean?

A

all powers not given to the national govt. in the Constitution are reserved [go to] the states

150
Q

What does the 10th amendment do for the state govts.?

A

Increases their power

151
Q

What is the significance in the 10th amendment?

A

matter of debate & interpretation

152
Q

Whose the referee between the national & state govts.?

A

The judicial branch

153
Q

Why is the judicial branch the referee?

A

bc they interpret the Constitution

154
Q

What are concurrent powers?

A

powers the national & state govts. share

Government (13 decks)

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