Chapter 9: Confederation And Constitution Flashcards
Continental congress 1776
Draft a new constitution based on theory of republicanism.
1800s everyone was nearly equal
Elect balks women and Indians
Trade deficit
More imports than exports. Dependent on oil
States assembly in 1780
All wealthy educated white men. Policies built to defend these types of people but most Americans were ok with it.
Creating a cofederation
No unity between states. Articles of confederation adopted by congress in 1777 needed to be ratified by all 13 states.
Northwest ordinance of 1785
How we decided what to do with all the new land. Future territories could become states later on. Cut up land and sold it off from the federal government
Articles of confederation 1777
Each state had 1 vote power was divided between weak national congress and states. No judicial or effective.
Weaknesses of articles
Federal government couldn’t tax. 9/13 to pass law 13/13 to amend. Lacked national unity
What was shays rebellion 1786-1787
Couldn’t pay debt, losing land. Congress couldn’t pull together an army. People didn’t fear government because it was so weak.
Constitutional convention 1787
Threw out articles
How would the government be represented:
Virginia plan: 2 house legislature with membership by population
New Jersey plan: 1 house each with 1 vote
Great compromise: 2 houses one determined by population and one with 2 votes per state
3/5 compromise
Slaves were 3/5 a person.
Federalit papers
Refuted conventional wisdom wich at the time was imposible to extend a republican form of government over a large territory
