The American Constitution Flashcards
How long was America governed by the Articles of Confederation?
1781-1789.
How did the Articles of Confederation produce a weak national government?
They had no visible head.
Congress was only in session intermittently and had no fixed address.
Confederation government had no power in the states or over individuals.
Most decisions affecting the lives of Americans were made in the states, not by congress.
What did the Treaty of Paris five American control over?
Gave America control over a huge area south of the Great Lakes.
What was the population in Kentucky by 1790?
73,677
What was congress’ biggest fear over the west?
The west would want independence.
1779 - congress resolved that the west would be organised into new states.
What legislation did the confederation government put in place to tackle issues in the west?
The 1785 land ordinance.
The 1787 Northwest ordinance.
The 1785 Land Ordinance:
Outlined a surveying system for the scale of northwest land.
Land would be split in 6 mile townships.
5 sections would be used as bounty-land for ex soldiers and the maintenance of schools - the rest would be actioned off.
What was the benefit of the 1785 Land Ordinance?
The system reduced potential disputes between land buyers.
The 1787 Northwest Ordinance:
Set out a procedure for organising and admitting statehood to new territories.
During the initial stages of settlement a territory would not be self governing, it would have a judge and governor appointed by congress.
When male population reached 5000 it could elect a legislature with limited powers.
When population reached 60,000 it could form a constitutional convention and apply for admission as a state.
Why did the confederation have poor relations with Britain?
Treaty of Paris, Britain promises to evacuate America.
Britain however kept a number of frontier posts to safeguard the fur trade and maintain contact with the natives.
Justified their occupation by stating that the Americans had failed to pay their war debts and restore loyalist property.
Why was America unable to repay its war debt to the colonies?
States had ignored advice from congress to allow Britain to claim its pre-war debts.
Britain refused to negotiate with a federal government that could not compel its states to implement treaties.
How did the confederation government try to improve relations with Britain?
John Adam’s was sent in 1785 to demand the evacuation of troops from frontier posts and seek a commercial treaty.
He achieved neither.
What was the relationship like between the confederation government and Spain?
Poor, Spain opposed westward expansion - they strengthened their ties with Natives in the hope of creating a buffer zone to protect its possessions.
What were the events over the dispute of the Mississippi?
Spain control the Mississippi River.
1784 - Spain seize Natchez on the Eastern bank of the Mississippi.
Impact:
Closed the river to American navigation.
Deprived western colonies of an outlet for their goods.
Americans feared Tennessee and Kentucky would switch their allegiance to Spain.
How does John Jay respond to spin seizing Natchez?
Initiates a treaty with Spain.
In return for limited access to Spanish markets, the USA would give up the right to use the Mississippi for 25 years.
Why did John Jay’s treaty with Spain not pass?
5 southern states opposed the treaty.
Westerners were upset by jay’s willingness to sacrifice their interests to those of eastern merchants.
What economic problems did the confederation government face?
American economy suffered from the war and separation with Britain.
1784-86, USA imported from Britain goods worth over $7.5 million. - they sell less than 1/3 in return.
American debt and flow of specie outside the country, depressed trade and economic recovery.
Why was the USA’s economic bargaining position weak?
Control over commercial measures were retained by the states.
1784, there was a demand that congress should be allowed to regulate American and international trade:
New England and the middle states wanted a protective tariff against British competition.
Southern states preferred free trade.
Progress from the economic front:
US population rose from 2.75 million in 1940 to 4 million in 1790.
New markets were available in Europe and the Far East.
Many British trading restrictions could be evaded.
Barriers to interstate trade dismantled during the 1780’s.
What financial problems did the confederation government face?
Inherited a worthless currency and huge debt.
1783, national debt was at $41 million - the interest for which was $2.4 million a year.
The government was unable to pay soldiers.
What were the consequences of the confederation government being unable to pay soldiers?
1782-3, army officer met a New York, Newburgh and pressed for payback and pensions.
The possibility of coup was diffused by Washington’s authority.
1783, soldier surrounded Pennsylvania State House, forced congress to abandon Philadelphia.
What did Robert Morris do for the financial situation?
Helped to avoid bankruptcy.
Appointed superintendent of finance in 1781.
Morris used some of his own money to meet expenses.
What did Morris propose would create a strong national government?
Set-up a national bank.
Secure control over the public debt.
Levy import duties.
Did Morris manage achieve the creation of a national bank?
No -
He hoped his Bank of North America would become a national bank.
Government severed connections with the bank in 1784.
