Chapter 9 Flashcards
Why was the revolution more of an evolution than a revolution?
Life went of normally during war, many not disturbed and some didn’t know
Why were large changes in the social, political, societal, governmental ushered in?
Departure of 80k loyalists paved way for Patriot ideas
The aftermath of the American Revolution triggered what social changes?
- Reduced property requirements for voting
- Trade and labor organizations founded
- Movement for church and state seperation
- Efforts to abolish slavery
- Women became bigger part through republican motherhood
What is republican motherhood?
Women are the shapers of future citizens
Mothers instilled virtue into family, held future of nation
When states drafted state constitutions, why was Massachusetts important?
They had idea of special convention for drafting and people would ratify the constitution. Changes could only be made by constitutional convention
What were some of the similarities in state constitutions?
- Bill of rights
- Annual election of legislators
- Little authority for executive
- Weak judiciary and executive branches
Why did state capitals move western?
To better represent poorer western districts
What accelerated economic equality?
States taking control of British lands and cutting loyalist land
Why stimulated manufacturing before, during, and after the war?
- Prewar nonimportation
- War itself
- Cut off of British goods
Even though manufacturing was stimulated before, during, and after war, what did American remain based on?
Agriculture
How did the Revolution have economic drawbacks?
- No more trade with British
- Inflation and failure to pass taxes
- Governmental inability to control commerce
Why were the Articles not fully ratified until years later?
Western lands
Land-rich states could sell western land to pay of debts, while eastern states did not have this benefit
Why did the turning of western lands to government before Articles help to unify states?
States throwing land to cmmon pot would have to stay in Union to receive benefits from land sales
What branch(es) did the Articles have?
Legislative, no executive and judicial was left up to states
Why were the Articles designed to make Congress weak?
States just won control of taxation and commerce and didn’t want to yield to American parliament
Land Ordinance
Land surveyed and sold to pay debts. Townships of 36 sections with 16th being used for public schools
Northwest Ordinance
Land becomes state with 60,000. Slavery forbade.
What caused bad American relationships with British, Spain, France, and Pirates
- British: declined to make commercial treaty, retained land in America
- Spain: Closed Mississippi to American for commerce, claimed American area south
- France: demanded repayment of debts, closed trade with West Indies
- Pirates: ravaged commercial ships
Why did British retain land in America?
To motivate Indians against US
Who ultimately did not allow American expansion?
Spain and Britain
What happened in Shays’s Rebellion? What did the rebellers demand?
Debt-ridden farmers lead by Daniel Shays losing land to foreclosures rebelled. Demanded paper money issued by state, lighter taxes, and to suspend property takeovers.
What was the main reason for the replacement of Articles with Constitution?
Gave Congress no power to regulate commerce or to enforce taxation
What revolutionary leaders were present at the constitutional convention? Which weren’t?
- Washington, Ben Franklin, James Madison, Alex Hamilton
- Jefferson, John/Sam Adams, Thomas Paine, Hancock, Patrick Henry
WHo was the “father of the Constitution”?
James Madison
What were some of the reasons for revising Articles?
- Gain better control over commerce
- Curbing unlimited democracy in states
- Strengthening central government
- Safeguarding the Union from uprisings
- Preserve Union
Virginia Plan
Scheme suggested as framework with representation based on population size
New Jersey Plan
Scheme suggested as framework with 1 vote per state
The Constition was (common/civil) law.
Common
Unnecessary to elaborate on every detail; basic overview
What were some of the details of Constitution?
- Strong central government
- Presidented elected by Electoral College
- Slaves count as 3/5
- Lifetime appointments for federal judges
- Closing slave trade in 1807
What was the reason for a president in the executive branch? (as in, what event inspired this?)
Massachusetts governor suppressed Shays’ Rebellion
Why were pirates able to attack commercial ships?
No protection from British anymore
What was the real reason for an Electoral College?
To give elite and educated an upper hand in voting
What were some of the conflicts argued at the Constitutional Convention?
- Federalism
- State representation
- Slave representation
What were the things not abided in Treaty of Paris?
- Loyalists treated fairly by Americans
- British couldn’t have any land in US
- Repay British mercahnts
Antifederalism
Opposed to stronger federal government
Among antifederalists were:
Poor class, debtors, farmers, state rights devotees
Among federalists were:
Areas along sea, wealthier, educated, better organized, men of power
What are the ideas of antifederalists?
- Opposition to strong central government
- Claimed Constitution was drawn up by aristocratic elements designed for wealthy to protect interests
- In support of addition of Bill of Rights
- Position challenged in The Federalist
Why did the final four states, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island end up ratifying Constituion
After pressure from government. If they did not ratify, they would separate from Union
The Federalist
Federalistic articles written in NY newspapers by Alex Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison
What state temporarily permitted women to vote after Revolution?
New Jersey
What was the provision in the Constitution that would erect safeguards against democratic excesses?
Appointment of federal judges for life
