Lesson 1: A Weak Confederation Flashcards
Bill of Rights Definition
the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution
Cede Definition
to give up
Constitution Definition
a document that sets out the laws, principles, organization, and processes of a government
Currency Definition
money
Depression Definition
a period when business activity slows, prices and wages fall, and unemployment rises
Land Ordinance of 1785 Definition
a law that set up a system for settling the Northwest Territory
Northwest Ordinance Definition
a 1787 law that set up a government for the Northwest Territory
Shay’s Rebellion Definition
a 1786 revolt in Massachusetts led by farmers in reaction to high taxes
What are the two reasons why a state would form a constitution?
First, a written constitution would spell out the rights of all citizens. Second, it would limit the power of government.
What was the influence of Virginia’s constitution consisting of a bill of rights?
People valued the rights that state governments protected. Virginia’s constitution included a bill of rights, or list of freedoms that the government promises to protect. Virginia’s bill of rights guaranteed trial by jury, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press. Several other states followed Virginia’s lead, such as Massachusetts.
How were the new state governments similar to the colonial governments?
The new state governments were somewhat similar to the colonial governments in structure. The states divided power between an executive and a legislature. The legislature was elected by the voters to pass laws. Every state but Pennsylvania had a governor to execute, or carry out, the laws.
Who had the right to vote under the state constitutions? How did this differ from colonial times?
Under the state constitutions, more people had the right to vote than in colonial times. To vote, a citizen had to be white, male, and over age 21. He had to own a certain amount of property or pay a certain amount of taxes. For a time, some women in New Jersey could vote. In a few states, free African American men who owned property could vote.
What did colonists fear about being united under one national government, as planned by the Continental Congress?
As citizens formed state governments, the Continental Congress was drafting a plan for the nation as a whole. Delegates believed that the colonies needed to be united by a national government in order to win independence. It was hard to write a constitution that all states would approve. They were reluctant to give up power to a central government. Few Americans saw themselves as citizens of one nation. Instead, they felt loyal to their own states. Also, people feared replacing the “tyranny” of British rule with another strong government.
After much debate, what did the Continental Congress approve as the first American constitution in 1777? What did it create?
After much debate, the Continental Congress approved the first American constitution in 1777. The Articles of Confederation created a very loose alliance of 13 independent states.
What did the constitution of the state of Massachusetts declare the purpose of government as?
The constitution of the state of Massachusetts declared that the primary purpose of the Massachusetts state government is to protect the natural rights of its inhabitants.
What did the Articles of Confederation represent? What did it do?
Under the Articles of Confederation, the United States became a union of states with a weak central government. In a sense, the Articles simply put into law the existing reality of government in the colonies—a Congress with delegates acting on behalf of states that retained most of the power. The new nation was still at war, its revolution not yet won. It was not the time to discuss the political relationship between the states and Congress. The Articles of Confederation represented an effective compromise during a difficult time.
What were the strengths of the Articles of Confederation?
As a plan of government, the Articles of Confederation had strengths. It left states free to make decisions for themselves. It prevented the federal government from gaining too much power. Under the Articles, each state sent one delegate to Congress. Thus each state, no matter its size or population, had one vote. Congress did have the power to declare war. It could appoint military officers, coin money, and operate post offices. It was also responsible for foreign affairs and could sign treaties.
What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
However, the Articles of Confederation had weaknesses as well. Compared to the states, Congress had very limited powers. Congress could pass laws, but nine states had to approve a law before it could go into effect. Even then it was up to the states to enforce the laws passed by Congress. The Articles included no president to execute laws. Congress could not regulate trade between states or between states and foreign countries. Nor did it have the power to tax. To raise money, Congress had to ask the states for funds or borrow them. No state could be forced to contribute funds. There was also no system of courts to settle conflicts between states.
What major dispute arose before the Articles of Confederation went into effect?
One major dispute arose before the Articles of Confederation went into effect. Maryland refused to ratify the Articles unless Virginia and other states ceded, or gave up, their claims to lands west of the Appalachian Mountains. Like other small states, Maryland feared that “landed” states would become too powerful. One by one, the states agreed to cede their western claims to Congress. Finally, only Virginia held out. However, Thomas Jefferson and other leading Virginians recognized the great need to form a central government. They persuaded state lawmakers to give up Virginia’s claims in the West. With its demands met, Maryland ratified the Articles of Confederation in 1781. The new American government could at last go into effect.
Did American independence solve the Confederations problems?
By 1783, the United States had won its independence. Yet, the end of the American Revolution did not solve the confederation’s troubles. Americans had reason to doubt whether “these United States” could survive.
What happened to disputes between states following the Revolutionary War?
Disputes continued to arise among states. For example, both New Hampshire and New York claimed Vermont. The Articles did not give the central government power to resolve such conflicts. Noah Webster, a teacher from New England, saw the problem clearly
How did the rules outlined in the Articles of Confederation negatively affect taxes and debt after the war?
After the Revolution, the United States owed millions of dollars to individuals and foreign nations. Without the power to tax, Congress had no way to repay these debts. It asked the states for money, but the states often refused. During the Revolution, the Continental Congress had solved the problem of raising funds by printing paper currency, or money. However, the Continental dollar had little value because it was not backed by gold or silver. Before long, Americans began to describe any useless thing as “not worth a Continental.”
Since Continental dollars had became worthless after the war, due to the fact that they held no gold or silver, what did the states begin doing, which caused confusion?
As Continental dollars became nearly worthless, states printed their own currency. This caused confusion.
How did the multiple state currencies affect trade?
How much was a North Carolina dollar worth? Was a Virginia dollar as valuable as a Maryland dollar? Most states refused to accept the money of others. As a result, trade became very difficult.
