Ch7 Creating a New National Government 1781-1789

Question 1

Why did the articles of confederation create a weak central government for three reasons

Answer 1

1) feared a strong centralized authority
2) feared that big states would dominate the government
3) believed a representative government would only work in small communities w/ common interest

Question 2

Articles of confederation

Answer 2

Ratified in 1781

Consisted of a unicameral legislature

Question 3

What responsibilities did congress have?

4 things

Answer 3

Authority over coinage
Postal service
Indian affairs
Western territories

Question 4

What were some problems of the new confederation government?

Answer 4

• Britain kept its markets closed to American goods
• Spain & Britain restricted America from controlling half of its territory
• there was no judicial branch
• had no power to tax

Question 5

What was the greatest achievement under the articles of confederation?

Answer 5

Northwest ordinance of 1787 which established a procedure for territories to become states

Question 6

Land ordinance of 1785

Answer 6

Established procedures for surveying western lands into towns and sections

Question 7

What caused shays rebellion?

Answer 7

Farmers were losing land Bc there was not enough hard currency to repay debts to merchants and bankers

Question 8

Who led shays rebellion?

Answer 8

Daniel shays

Question 9

Constitutional convention, 1787

Answer 9

Got rid of the articles of confederation and replaced its government

Question 10

Great compromise of 1787

4things

Answer 10

• Occurred at constitutional convention
• Granted political representation for the states in federal government
• created a bicameral legislature
• resolved the dispute between small and large states

Question 11

When was the bill of rights added

Answer 11

1791

Question 12

What are 6 tings the constitution now allowed

Answer 12

1) congress had the ability to levy taxes, declare war, and regulate interstate commerce
2) congress had power to make laws (proper clause)
3) designed electoral college to reduce excessive democracy
4) senators could be chosen by state legislators
5) pres could be impeached
6) established amendment process

Question 13

Constitution transferred sovereignty from who to whom?

Answer 13

States to the people

Question 14

What were two moral failings of the constitution?

Answer 14

• slavery wasn’t ended

- never created a settlement system with native Americans

Question 15

Three fifths compromise

Answer 15

Slaves were treated as 3/5 of a person for taxation and representation purposes
(Benefitted the south)

Question 16

When did the importation of slaves to the US end

Answer 16

1808

Question 17

Where did antifederalists gain support from?

Answer 17

Rural areas and small farmers

Question 18

Where did federalists gain support from?

Answer 18

Urban areas, wealthy merchants and land owners

Question 19

What were antifederalist arguments

Answer 19

Constitution would create a powerful central government
It wouldn’t work in a large nation w divided interests
The constitution lacked a bill of rights

Question 20

What were federalist arguments

Answer 20

Power would be shared between state and federal governments
The separation of powers in combo w checks and balances would make it hard for special interests to dominate the government

Question 21

Federalist papers

Answer 21

Written by John jay, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton

defended and explained the constitution