The Confederation and the Constitution 1776-1790 Flashcards
Newburgh Conspiracy (1783)
They proposed that George Washington become king of the colonies. Conspiracy ended when Washington addressed his men and refused to become a monarch. He made himself synonymous with the Revolution in order to declare that it was incompatible with dictatorial power.
Annapolis Convention (1783)
A meeting called to resolve navigation and taxing issues regarding interstate trade among states that bordered on the Potomac River. Few states attended, so the issues never resolved. But b/c of this failure, Hamilton and Madison wanted to call a meeting to consider amending the Articles of Confederation.
Constitutional Convention (1787)
In Philadelphia, was a meeting held to consider amending the Articles of Confederation. The Articles Congress officially sanctioned this meeting because most political observers agreed that the Articles needed amending. (EVEN WASHINGTON ATTENDED!)
The Great Compromise
Made to resolve the conflict between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans and the issue of slavery in terms of representation and taxation. (by Roger Sherman//Connecticut). Sherman proposed that the national legislature have two houses, an upper house called the Senate where each state regardless of size would have two representatives elected by state legislature. AND a lower house (aka house of representatives) where a state’s representation would be based on pop.
Three- fifths compromise
Slaves to be counted as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of representation and be taxed based on three fifths of their value.
The Trade and Commerce Compromise
The national govn’t was given the power to regulate interstate trade and in return it agreed not to interfere with slave trade for 20 yrs. In addition, Northern leaders gave verbal assurances to Southern delegates that they would support national Fugitive Slave Law (committed Northerners to active participation in and support of the capture and return of runaway slaves to their rightful owners)
Executive Compromise
There would be one executive, the President and one assistant executive, the VP. Both chosen indirectly by the people. The president and vp’s term of office was not limited and each term would last four years. Congress was given impeachment powers to ensure that a corrupt president could not get continually reelected.
Electoral College
Those who truly elect the president. It would be composed of members based on the representation of each state in the national legislature (Senate+ H.O.R.)and members of the college would be elected by each state’s legislature.
Sovereignty
ultimate power. Given to the people in this case (by James Madison)
Federalists
The supporters of the new Constitution. Most lived in settled area along the eastern seaboard and rep’d the more cultured, propertied, natural aristocracy. The elite!
Federalist Papers
Essays written to explain the philosophy behind the Constitution and defend it against attack by its opponents.
Anti-federalists
The back-country pioneers, small farmers, unskilled workers, and poor who favored states’ rights over a stronger federal government.
