Chapter 6: The American Constitution Flashcards
What were some issues with central government under the Articles of Confederation?
No visible head of state
Weak central government - no power over individual states
Had to move from Philadelphia to escape angry soldiers claiming back pay in 1783
What was the issue regarding Western expansion in the 1780s?
There was rapid westward expansion of the colonies - Kentucky had a population of 74,000 by 1790
Congress needed to establish a coherent policy on this land.
What was the policy on westward expansion in 1779?
New land was to be organised into new states which would join the union as equals
What was the 1785 Land Ordinance?
Outlined a surveying system for northwest land.
Government surveyors would first divide land into six square-mile townships & then divide these townships into square miles.
Provided a quick and easy method to distribute land.
What was the 1787 Northwest Ordinance?
Prescribed a set of procedures for organising and admitting to statehood new territories.
New Territories would not be self-governing until they had an adult male population of 5000. Then, it could elect a governor & a limited legislature.
Once population reached 60,000, the territory could apply for statehood.
What were some foreign affairs issues with Britain in the 1780s?
Britain clung to a number of frontier posts south of the Great Lakes, in return for American states not allowing British merchants to collect pre-war debts
When John Adams was sent to Britain to demand the evacuation of the frontier posts, he was entirely rebuked.
What were some foreign affairs issues with Spain in the 1780s?
Spain opposed American westward expansion.
It schemed to create a Native American buffer state to protect its own possessions, so they seized Natchez in 1784 & closed the Mississippi river to Americans.
John Jay tried to negotiate a treaty 1786 whereby they would give up control over the river for limited access to Spanish markets - failed, but Western states were furious at this and there was talk of them breaking off
What were the financial problems the government faced in the 1780s?
The USA inherited serious financial problems, including huge debts & a nearly worthless currency.
1783: National Debt $41m
Unable to pay the army; soldiers surrounded the state house in Philadelphia 1783, forced Congress to abandon it
Who was Robert Morris?
A rich Philadelphia merchant who was appointed superintendent of finance in 1781.
He used his own money to set up a National Bank & secure control of the public debt.
When did the National Bank fail?
1784 - Government severed connection
What had happened to debts by 1786?
The states had taken much of the national debt into their own state debts
When did Robert Morris resign?
1784
What was the economic situation by 1787?
Congress levied over $15m in recquisition from the states, only $2.5m of which had actually been paid.
Still immense overseas debt & Congress couldn’t even pay off the interest
Only 7 states still issued paper money; dollar was worthless
What was the main example of social tension in the late 1780s?
Shay’s Rebellion
What was Shay’s Rebellion?
Daniel Shays, a bunkrupt farmer, led several hundred armed men towards the federal asrenal at Springfield, MA.
The rebels were easily dispersed by 1,000 militiamen, but it alarmed conservatives throughout the country.
Why were many Americans dissatisfied with the Articles of Confederation?
The central government was entirely powerless
Creditors wanted a national government that would put a stop to the irresponsible legislation of the states that issued paper money
General fear that weakness & chaos were around the corner
What were some signs of growing American Nationalism rather than colonial nationalism?
Stars & Stripes adopted in 1777
Eagle on the seal of the USA 1782
Men like George Washington wanted a unified republic to command the respect of the world
What were some arguments in support of the Articles?
Americans had gained independence under them
State governments were more responsive to people’s demands than ever before
Stronger central govt may replicate the British govt
Most Americans liked the system of local self-government
State governments were competent enough
What was an example of interstate disharmony in the 1780s?
All the different states levied different import duties depending on their interests (All except New Jersey)
What was the Virginia & Maryland agreement?
There was a dispute over navigation in the Potomac river; James Madison suggested they should send delegates to discuss.
These delegates then agreed to not only agree on the relevant issue, but also cooperate on financial & customs policy.
Madison saw this and proposed a resolution to the Virginia assembly for a national convention to discuss commerce regulations.
What was the Annapolis meeting?
A direct result of Madison’s resolution after the Virginia & Maryland agreement
Brought together men from all the states who agreed on the need for constitutional change.
Meeting proposed a convention in 1787 to redraft the Articles of Confederation
