Creating the constitution Flashcards
The Articles of confederation provided for a weak central government. As result, the nation consisted of a loose alliance of independent states. This alliance was called what?
“League of Friendship”
The Articles of Confederation consisted of what?
A congress, in which a representative from each state had only one vote. There was no judicial or Executive branch
Problems with the Articles of Confederation?
A weak central government, Congress’ inability to levy taxes, no one to enforce federal laws, no central courts, and no executive branch.
When the British crossed boundaries into the United States in violation of the Paris Treaty of 1783, why was the government unable to do something about it?
They were unable to do something because they could not afford soldiers and ammunition, due to the states not paying their taxes.
What was the incident called when a farmer named Daniel Shays led an uprising in Massachusetts in 1786?
“Shays Rebellion”
Who was Daniel Shays? Why did he start an uprising?
Daniel Shay was a farmer who was also an American Revolution vet. He left the army due to not being paid. Upon going home he faced a mountain of debt. To make matters worse, the legislators were throwing debtors into “Debtor Prison”. And unfairly selling people’s property. Daniel Shays gathered other army vets and started an uprising with the goal of preventing the trial and imprisonment of debtors.
Though Daniel Shays’ rebellion was unsuccessful, what did it accomplish?
It encouraged nation leaders to seek alternatives to the Articles of Confederation.
What was Thomas Jefferson’s letter to James Madison stating about the rebellion?
Jefferson says if rebellions are unsuccessful, they sometimes give the government more control in certain areas.
What problem of regulating trade did the Articles of Confederation cause?
The problem was they could not regulate interstate trade, which led to battles over tariffs. They could also not regulate international trades which led to some states making trade agreements with foreign powers. In which, if they set a price for export, could drive other states out of the foreign market for the same trades.
What were the problems that came along with the Articles of Confederation not having central courts?
There was no way to interpret the laws created by congress. there was also no way to manage legal disputes between states.
What is the problem of not having a president with the Articles of Confederation?
No one to lead or enforce the laws made by congress.
What was the Constitutional Convention?
The Constitutional Convention was a meeting from May 1787 to September 1787. The convention consisted of delegates from 12 of the 13 states and the convention president, George Washington. The meeting was called upon to revise the Articles of Confederation but instead, they would go on to write a new one that would serve as the United States’ central government for the next 200 years.
What were the different interests of the states while planning the U.S. Consitution?
States of the South wanted to protect their plantation economy and maintain slavery. The states of the North were interested in protecting the interest of their small farmers, while at the same time encouraging the growth of thriving cities that were developing manufacturing and trade.
What were the two plans that arose through the different interests of the states?
The Virginia Plan by James Madison and the New Jersey Plan by William Patterson.
What was the Virginia Plan by James Madison?
Madison’s Virginia Plan called for a strong central government divided into the branches. An executive branch (President), a legislative branch (congress), and a judicial branch (a federal court system). The arrangement was known as the separation of powers. Madison’s plan also provided a system of checks and balances. A system that would help the branches keep each other from being too powerful. He also planned that the number of representatives in congress would be based on the population.
