Chapter 2 Test Flashcards
What powers did the Continental Congress have under the Articles of Confederation?
Power to direct war, conduct policy, territories and Indoan Affairs
Why were the Articles of Confederation weak?
There was no executive or judicial branch, and the US had debts to pay to Europe but no way to pay them
What event caused many to see that the Articles of Confederation were weak and would never last?
Shay’s Rebellion - land was being taken to pay farmer’s debts so the farmers rebelled, an army was hired to put it down
What was the question at the Constitutional Convention in 1787?
Whether to strengthen or replace the Articles
What events caused the fear of anarchy in the Convention and and led to no clear consensus?
Shay’s Rebellion
How many delegates attended the Constitutional Convention and which state boycotted it?
55 delegates attended from every state except Rhode Island (small size will hurt it no matter the what)
What describes the delegates of the Convention?
They were young, but experienced:
- 7 Governors
- 34 Lawyers
- 39 Confederation Representatives
- 1/3 were Revolutionary War veterans
- Hamilton - 30
- Madison - 36
- Franklin - 81
Why was Washington chosen to preside unanimously?
He was symbolic of stability and honor which were important for a new government
Who led the Virginia Delegation and presented Madison’s blueprint for Virginia?
Edmund Randolph presented the Virginia Plan
What was the Virginia Plan?
It called for strong national union with 3 branches (J,E,L) A bicameral legislature with an upper (state legislature lower voted for upper) and lower house (popular sovereignty)
Who presented the New Jersey Plan to strengthen the Articles?
William Patterson
What was the New Jersey Plan?
It would benefit small state, enhance national power (appropriate leaders/cabinet appointed), unicameral legislature with one state one vote
When was the first vote cast for the plans and what was the result?
On June 19, 1787:
- 7 for the Virginia Plan
- 3 for the New Jersey Plan
- 1 split
- NY did not vote (9 is the minimum amount of votes needed)
What was the Hamilton/British Plan?
It would end state sovereignty (no rights), form one national government, bicameral legislature (lower house directly elected for 3 years and upper house elected by lower for life (Hamilton does not trust the people)), rejected for lack of democracy and resemblance to constitutional monarchy
What was the Connecticut/Great Compromise?
Presented by Roger Sherman, it had a bicameral legislature with the House being elected by people based on population, a Senate elected by state legislature with 2 votes each, passed 5-4 (NY, NH, MA didn’t vote)
How were slaves counted as part of a population?
1/3 of the South’s population were slaves, 3/5 compromise - 3/5 of the slave population would be counted, there would be no federal prohibition of slavery until 1805, escaped slaves would be returned to owners
Who were the federalists?
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, George Washington, John Jay
What did the Federalists want?
A strong central (federal national) government, favored ratification of the Constitution (must gets 9 votes quickly)
Who supported the Federalists?
Wealthy urban people
What were the Federalist Papers?
Exchanged among the Federalists and published as an argument to people to support Constitution, know they will be used to favor the Constitution
What was a major issue of the post-Revolution on America?
Money - debts from war were massive
What was the Federalist plan to deal with the debt?
Put all debts and tensions to the government to consolidate, form one national bank to control money and financial poilicy
What type of army did the Federalists want?
A permanent standing army
What was the Federalists view on Individual Rights?
No individual rights were guaranteed in the constitution, people know inalienable rights, better off being open and not limited.
What was the loose construction that the Federalists advocated?
If the law does not say you cannot, you can
Why did the Federalists view a large democracy vs a small one?
More competing interests will prevent anyone from becoming too powerful
Who are the Anti-Federalists?
Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, James Monroe
What did the Anti-Federalists want?
States’ Rights - federal government has no power or is limited, fear tyranny with a government too strong taking away rights, inherent distrust from England
Who supported the Anti-Federalists?
Rural Farmers
What did the Anti-Federalists believe would happen if there was a president?
He would be a monarch that would lead to tyranny after Washington
What was the Anti-Federalist stance on debts?
States would pay their own debt
What was the Anti-Federalist view on a standing army?
Britain had a standing army to shut down rebellion, threatens Liberty
What was the strict Constitution that the Anti-Federalists had?
They wanted all rights to be written, if not the citizens don’t have those rights
What was the Anti-Federalist fear of a large government?>
Government must be small and close to the people, large government would not know each state’s problems
