Creation of Government Study Guide

Question 1

The Articles of Confederation

Answer 1

Created by the delegates, they formed a union between the states. It was the first try at national unity.

Question 2

The Articles of Confederation Strengths

Answer 2

The colonies formed an alliance and defeated England in the war. The plan to settle newly acquired lands in the west is created called Land Ordinance. The rules for creating new states were laid out in the Northwest Ordinance. The plan to admit new states was also agreed on. Congress manages national issues.

Question 3

The Articles of Confederation Weaknesses

Answer 3

Congress had no power to tax. Congress gets its army from the states. All decisions needed 2/3s of the states agree to make them happen. No uniform currency. Congress had no real power in the fighting between states. In short: the states held all the power.

Question 4

Shays’ Rebellion

Answer 4

The lack of similar money creates shortages, resulting in debts. Massachusetts farmers rebel and refuse to pay. Led by Daniel Shays, veteran of Bunker Hill. Massachusetts was forced to send militia to suppress the rebellion. It resulted in people fearing the colonies were headed for civil war. This signaled that a new government needed to be formed.

Question 5

Constitutional Convention

Answer 5

In Philadelphia 1787, leaders from all over the colonies arrive in
Philadelphia to try and create a better government (although they were originally only sent to fix the old one). Most only want to rewrite the Articles, fearing an overly powerful national government. A few were intent on rewriting the whole thing (breaking the law - it wasn’t unanimous). Washington agrees to serve as the conventions president. Rule of secrecy allows them to discuss even unpopular ideas. The three main issues were representation, slavery, and presidency.

Question 6

Constitutional Convention: Representation

Answer 6

How will states be represented in the new government? Virginia Plan - the more people you have, the more reps you get in Congress (big states). New Jersey Plan - all states equally represented (little states). The solution was The Great Compromise which had a two house congress (bicameral). The House of Reps was based on population. The Senate was based on states (equal representation - two votes for everyone).

Question 7

Constitutional Convention: President

Answer 7

The possible ideas for how the president would be chosen were Congress, the States, Electors (voting for people who did the actual voting), and a Direct Democracy. The solution was that there would be a single president and single vice-president. The vice-president would be the person who took second place in the election. The President is chosen through electors. Electoral college is electors voted by the people.

Question 8

Benjamin Franklin

Answer 8

81 years old - seen as wise and experienced. He persuaded people to compromise and was seen as a uniting force. His age and experience helped him to be considered to be one of the wisest members of the convention.

Question 9

James Madison

Answer 9

Known as the “Father of the Constitution”. Brought a plan for a stronger national government. Took notes at the convention every day.

Question 10

John Adams

Answer 10

Helped to write the Massachusetts state constitution. Was an ambassador to England to create deals concerning fair trade and equality amongst the world’s nations.

Question 11

George Washington

Answer 11

After the war he wanted to be a farmer - NOT a framer! Refused to come but he showed up anyway. Presided over the convention (he was the referee). Attended to lend prestige to the convention and to make people have confidence in the Constitution

Question 12

Who was the French and Indian War Fought Between?

Answer 12

The French and Indian War was fought between the Colonists & the British VS. The French & Native Americans.

Question 13

French and Indian War Causes

Answer 13

Land - Both France And Britain wanted control of the valuable Ohio River Valley. People - British colonists moved into the region, which disrupted trade between Natives & French. Conflict - The war in the Americas Is just one of several wars between France & Britain.

Question 14

French and Indian War Effects

Answer 14

-The Treaty of Paris (1763). Ends the War. France relinquishes all land in North America. Everything east of the Mississippi River now belongs to Britain. Natives lose their ally and trading partner
The Proclamation of 1763. Colonists are not allowed to move west of the Appalachian Mountains. Britain fears sparking another war with the
natives (a big no-no after just spending a lot of resources to fight a war). Colonists are furious they can’t move west into the land they just fought for.
- Debt. Great Britain is saddled with a huge war debt from fighting the F&I War (paying for weapons and soldiers is expensive). The British Parliament begins taxing colonies to repay the debt incurred.
- Colonists Unite. - At outset of F&I War, Ben Franklin
leads Albany Congress to unite colonists to “Join, or Die’’ against the French. Colonists learn guerrilla warfare tactics used by natives and French. Colonists learn to fight as one!

Question 15

Revolutionary Acts

Answer 15

In 1764 Parliament passed the Sugar Act, which raised taxes on sugar and molasses (used to make rum) and other goods shipped to the colonies. Parliament passed the Stamp Act in 1765. The law required all legal and commercial documents to carry an official stamp showing that tax had been paid. (newspapers, legal documents, advertisements, almanacs, licenses, playing cards, etc…). Other laws passed during this time which angered the colonists included the Quartering Act (housing of soldiers), Tea Act, Intolerable Acts, etc.

Question 16

Tighter British Control (King George’s 2 Problems)

Answer 16

King George III had two problems after the French and Indian War. 1. It had to be paid for. 2. Tighten his control in the colonies.The colonists who are used to managing their own affairs feel their freedoms are being threatened.

Question 17

North Versus South: Tariffs

Answer 17

The South and North had different economies. The South was Agriculture (farming), meaning they needed to get stuff from others. Britain was a trading partner. Meanwhile, the North was industry/business, meaning they made what they needed. They competed with Britain for shipping. A protective tariff is a tax placed on goods imported from other countries. Makes foreign goods cost more. Keep money in American hands. Northern Stance: FOR Tariffs. The North made many of the goods Britain did. A tariff would force people (southerners) to buy the similar, cheaper American (northern) product. America gets richer! Southern Stance: AGAINST Tariffs. South traded with Britain/Europe raw material: cotton, tobacco, etc. for British/European finished products. The cost of British goods would go up for southerners. Britain/Europe would place tariffs on southern materials. Britain/Europe would buy similar, cheaper materials from other countries. Solution: Congress was controlled more by the North, so they got the final say on tariffs.

Question 18

Slavery Issues

Answer 18

The South is financially dependent on slaves. NO slavery, NO money/profit. The Southern Economy would collapse! The North wants a United States. The South won’t unite unless there is slavery.
Solution (listed in the Constitution three times): In the Constitution, it stated that slavery was not to be discussed until 1808, that escaped slaves must be returned, and that, for representation purposes, slaves counted as 3/5 of a person.

Question 19

Federalism

Answer 19

A system of government that divides power between a central government and smaller units of government, such as state or local governments. The U.S has this.

Question 19

Anti-Federalists

Answer 19

They wanted a small central government and believed local governments best understood what the citizens needed and would best protect citizens’ freedom. They opposed parts of the Constitution that they thought would limit the power of the states. They feared a strong central government would overpower state governments and become like having a king. They also didn’t like that the Constitution didn’t guarantee citizens any specific rights.

Question 20

Federalists

Answer 20

They wanted a strong central government. They believed that a strong central government was necessary if the states were going to band together to form a nation. A strong central government could represent the nation to other countries. It could also control individual states that would not cooperate with the rest. Federalists also believed that a strong central government could best protect individual citizens’ rights and freedoms. Federalists were not afraid of the central government created by the Constitution because it had three branches—the executive, legislative, and judicial—that could limit each other’s power. That way, the central government could not become too powerful.

Question 21

Compromise Between Federalists and Anti-Federalists

Answer 21

Bill of Rights. Anti-Federalists also liked it because it limited the central government’s power.

Question 22

Declaration Grievances

Answer 22

The colonists wrote a list of all the reasons they didn’t like the King, including his complete control, violation of rights, and assent and military issues.

Question 23

King George III and Slavery

Answer 23

The Slavery Grievance describes slavery as diabolical and morally wrong. Thomas Jefferson is blaming the King of Britain for slavery.