Chapter 4 Flashcards
compare the powers of state and national government under the A of C
The national government was a congress of delegates chosen by state legislatures; executive power belonged to this Congress; Congress could issue bills of credit, declare/conduct war, negotiate peace, regulate foreign affairs, and administer relations with Indians. The states could tax, impose duties and tariffs on trade with other states, regulate commerce, and settle disputes.
Northwest Territory
north of the Ohio River and west of Pennsylvania to the Mississippi River. By selling land to speculators, Congress hoped to raise revenue and expand westward. When people moved west, they threatened to leave govt. This caused war with Indians and the US couldn’t afford war.
Land Ordinance of 1785
a law that designed a system for dispensing public lands. By running a grid of lines north to south and east to west, federal surveyors divided the land into hundreds of townships, each 6 sq mi, subdivided into 36 sections of one sq mi, sold a dollar per acre.
Northwest Ordinance of 1785
. This was based on Thomas Jefferson’s ideas. It provided a govt for the western territory. Congress would appoint a governor, secretary, and 3 judges. Citizens had common rights of law. If the population reached 5000 men, they could have an elected assembly. When the population reached 60,000 it could become a state, No slavery in territories.
Why was British mercantilism a factor that led to the Constitution?
The British went back to their Navigation Acts. Americans could only trade with British if it favored the British. Americans couldn’t freely send their ships to the British West Indies, an important source of fish, lumber, and grains. This hurt Massachusetts. Merchants were mad and the Congress was too weak to to go against the mercantilism. Merchants began to call for a stronger national government. The British Frontiers made settlers also want a stronger national govt
Why was the A of C a problem with paying off war debts?
It prevented Congress from creating a common currency, regulating interstate commerce, and levying. They relied on the states for money, and they were unreliable.
Issue raised by Shay’’s rebellion
There was a slow down in trading. Unemployment in seaports cause farmers to lose money. Americans couldn’t pay for their imported manufactured goods. Debts to Britain increased. They started to demand money. Farmers went in debt and lost farms. Some states paid their debtors with relief measures, some suspended lawsuits for debt, others used paper money( reducing value that creditors collected). The creditors felt cheated. Creditors blamed excessive democracy and wanted a stronger national govt
Define Bill of Rights
the first 10 amendments to the Constitution . protected freedoms guaranteed to citizens by the govt.
Federalists and Anti-federalists
F: favored ratification of the constitution; George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton . AF: opposed ratification; Samuel Adams, John Hancock, George Clinton, Richard Henry Lee, and Patrick Henry.
What 3 people wrote the Federalist Papers?
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay
How did the outcome of Shay’s Rebellion serve the Federalist side in the ratification debate?
Urban artisans supported the Fs because they were hurt by the depression that caused Shay’s Rebellion. They hoped a strong central govt would expand American commerce.
Federalist strategy for winning ratification of the Constitution
Their advantages: support of GW and BF, popular places like seaports supported them, printers of newspapers supported them. They were organized. They acted quickly after after the Convention and gained nationwide support. this support helped them create the first national political campaign. The Federalist Papers were released in NY newspapers. They quickly did ratifying conventions and got John Hancock on their side making MA support them.
unicameral vs. bicameral legislature
uni: lawmaking body made up of a single house. Bi: two houses
Virginia Plan
called for judicial, executive, and legislative branches. bicameral legislature (representation based on population). Large states were their advantage.
New Jersey Plan
called for judicial, executive, and legislative branches. Unicameral legislatures (equal representation) small states were their advantage. Wanted Congress to trade, tax duties, and imports
