Unit 2: Articles of Confederation to the War of 1812 Flashcards
The first set of laws that America operated under from 1777-1789
Articles of Confederation
What provided the model for the Articles of Confederation government?
The Continental Congress
Is a loose alliance of the states
A confederation
What was the goals for the Articles of Confederation?
- To protect the rights they had fought for during the Revolutionary War
- Weak Central Government (authority rested in the states, not in the central government)
The American Revolution was fought to preserve the rights of what?
Their colonial assemblies
What did the states believed rested in their state governments?
Sovereignty
The Confederation government was effective in negotiating what to end the Revolutionary War?
The Treaty of Paris
Were laws that established a method for distribution of the national domain
The Northwest Ordinance
What set the precedent for the creation of new states?
The Northwest Ordinance
What was declared illegal in the Northwest Territory?
Slavery
What is a failure of the Articles of Confederation?
Confederation gov. was too weak to meet the growing needs of the new nation
This event caused Americans to reflect about wanting to have a stronger national government
Shays’s Rebellion
Military Problem:
The national gov. could not tax the states so that meant the national gov. could not raise an army.
Weakness under the Articles of Confederation
How did the Constitution fix the military problem under the Articles of Confederation?
Gave power to the national gov. to levy taxes so they could maintain the army to “maintain domestic tranquility.” (an army)
What was a state conflict under the Articles of Confederation?
- The Confederation government could not resolve conflicts between the states over interstate trade, currency, or boundaries
- There was not a Judicial branch (courts) to resolve these issues
How did the Constitution fix the state conflicts?
- Gave the national gov. the exclusive power to control interstate trade and currency
- A judicial branch was established with the rights to resolve disputes between the states
What were Diplomatic Problems under the Articles of Confederation?
- Enforcing the Treaty of Paris
- International Commerce
- States were attempting to negotiate with foreign powers separately
How did the Constitution fix the Diplomatic Problems?
The national gov. was given the exclusive right to make treaties with foregin powers thus enhancing their ability to protect the United States’ interests diplomatically
Was there constitutional compromise under Diplomatic Problems?
Yes, the federal government would not attempt to limit the international slave trade for at least 20 yrs.
What was made illegal in 1808?
The importation of slaves
What were the Control of States weaknesses under the Articles of Confederation?
States refused to acknowledge the authority and power of the central government
How did the Constitution fix the Control of States?
They set up a federal system (federalism) in which the power government was shared between the states and the national gov.
What was a problem with the Amendments under AoC?
Only could be amended if ALL of states agreed
How did the Constitution fix the Amendments issue?
By including a provision for amendment by 3/4 of the states.
