Chapter 6 Flashcards
Robert Morris
He was the superintendent of finance for the congress of the confederation during the final years of the revolutionary war. He envisioned a national finance plan of taxation and debt management, but the states did not approve the necessary amendments to the articles of confederation needed to implement the plan
Alexander Hamilton
His belief in a strong federal government led him to become a contributor to the “Federalist” and the leader of the federalists. At first the secretary of the Treasurer, he laid the foundation for American capitalism through his creation of a federal budget, funded debt, a federal tax system, a national bank, customs service, and a coast guard
Northwest ordinance
Created the northwest territory (area north of the Ohio River and west of Pennsylvania), established conditions for self government and statehood, included a bill of rights, and permanently prohibited slavery
Shay’s rebellion
MA farmer Daniel Shays and 1200 compatriots, seeking debt relief through issuance of paper currency and lower taxes, stormed the federal arsenal at Springfield in the winter of 1787 but were quickly repulsed.
James Madison
He participated is the constitutional convention during which he proposed the Virginia plan. He believed in a strong federal government and was the leader of the federalists and a contributor to “the federalist.” However, he also presented to congress a bill of rights and drafted the Virginia resolutions. As the Secretary of State, he withheld a commission to William Marbury which led to the landmark Marbury v. Madison decision
Virginia plan
The delegations to the constitutional convention were divided between two plans on how to structure the government: VA called for strong central government and a two house legislature apportioned by population.
New Jersey plan
The delegations to the constitutional convention were divided between two plans on how to structure government: NJ wanted one legislative body with equal representation for each state
Separation of powers
The powers of government are split into 3 separate branches (executive, legislative, and judicial) who check and balance each other
Federalists
Proponents of a centralized federal system and the ratification of the constitution. Most federalists were relatively young, educated men who supported a broad interpretation of the constitution whenever national interest dictated such flexibility. Notable fed: Alexander Hamilton and John Jay
Anti-Federalists
Forerunners of Thomas Jeffersons democratic Republican Party; opposed the constitution as a limitation on individual and state rights, which led to the addition of the bill of rights to the document
Bill of rights
First ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution, adopted in 1791 to guarantee individual rights and to help secure ratification of the constitution by the states.
“The Federalists”
Collection of 85 essays that appeared in NY press in 1787-1788 in support of the constitution; written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pseudonym Plubius
