Chapter 3.2 Flashcards
13 states formed a confederation for the Revolution with what type of government?
Weak Central Government.
In 1787 Congress called a convention for what purpose?
the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation”; Every state chose representatives; 55 total.
In Philadelphia May 25, 1787 how were sessions held?
with armed guards at the doors.
George Washington unanimously elected which chairman?
Benjamin Franklin, James Madison (“Father of the Constitution”) and Alexander Hamilton wanted a powerful central government.
Why most revolutionary leaders of 1776 were absent?
Jefferson, Adams, Thomas Paine were in Europe; Samuel Adams and John Hancock not elected by Mass; Patrick Henry chosen from Virginia but did not go, saying that he “smelled a rat.”
Why were Delegates were well-to-do?
none from the poorer classes; 19 owned slaves; average age 42.
What was concidered not chaos of popular democracy?
Preserving and strengthening the young Republic.
Determined to preserve the Union, forestall anarchy, and ensure security of life and property against “mobocracy,” what did they fear?
fear occupied the fifty-sixth chair.
How did some delegates planned to overthrow existing government?
By writing a constitution.
What was the large state plan proposed by Virginia?
representation in both houses of a bicameral Congress based on population; larger states an advantage.
What was the small state plan proposed by New Jersey?
suspicious of Virginia, equal representation in a unicameral Congress by states, regardless of size and population.
What was the “Great Compromise?”
larger states given representation by population in the House of Representatives; smaller states got equal representation in the Senate.
What was the electoral college compromise?
indirect presidential election balanced large and small states.
What was the “three-fifths compromise”?
Should slaves count as a person in taxes and representation? South “yes”; North “no” arguing that slaves were not citizens; compromise at three-fifths.
what happened when Deliberately erected barriers against “the excesses of the mob” (voters were too emotional)?
- Federal judges appointed for life; Powerful president elected indirectly; Senators chosen indirectly by state legislatures.
- Only for the House of Representatives were qualified (propertied) citizens permitted to choose their officials by direct vote.
What was the two great principles of republicanism?
that the only legitimate government was one based on the consent of the governed, and that the powers of the government should be limited.
What happened 17 weeks later, September 17, 1787?
42 of 55 remained to sign the Constitution; 3 of 42 refused.
Unanimous vote impossible, so rules changed needing 9 states by special conventions to ratify. What happened when this occurred?
- Appealed beyond Congress and over state legislatures to the people directly.
- Planning was so secret that the people were shocked when it was first revealed.
What type of government did federalist favor?
Favored stronger federal government power and influence.
What happened because George Washington and Benjamin Franklin; wealthier, better educated, more organized than anti-federalists?
100 federalist newspapers; only 12 anti-federalist newspapers.
Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison wrote a series of newspaper
articles in NY supporting the new Constitution. What was it called?
The federalist papers.
What kind of Government did Anti-Federalists oppose?
Opposed the stronger federal government; Samuel Adams, Patrick
Henry, and Richard Henry Lee.
What did States’ rights” supporters (Radical Whigs) plot?
plot by wealthy to steal power from
common folk.
How were the freedoms of the individual were jeopardized by the absence of a bill of rights?
Sovereignty of the states was being submerged.
