Unit 2 Test Review Flashcards
Articles of Confederation
The 1st federal document of the US (was a draft)
Constrained federal authority and protected the sovereignty of the states
Put into place in Nov. 1777
Had a unicameral legislature and representatives elected annually and each state got one vote
States had 2-7 delegates (represented 1 vote) to elect legislation, if tie in the voting (meaning no majority vote), the state lost the vote
Congress had no right to tax
Needed unanimous decision to amend the constitution
The fed. gov. handles foreign relations, military matters, native affairs, and interstate affairs
Land Ordinance of 1785
Could buy 640 acres for a $1 an acre (had to pay the whole thing at once); bought in 36 sections
Township
Was a way for the gov. to make money and organize settlements
Virginia Plan
Written by James Madison and Edmund Randolph brought it forth
Wanted bicameral legislature (legislature would have most power; one would be elected by the people and the other chosen by the first house from the nominations of the state)
Representation was proportioned to state pop.
Executive was elected by Congress
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Helped territories become states
3-5 territories
Had governor, 3 judges, and a secretary
Guaranteed a trial by jury, freedom of religion, due process (fast trial), and outlawed slavery
Pop. = 5000; elect an assembly and governor had veto power
Pop. = 60,000; wrote a constitution and petitioned for statehood (statehood would allow legalized slavery)
Shays Rebellion
Massachusetts
Impoverished farmers always debt to eastern creditors (meant high taxes, high interests, and the state government was insensitive to these issues)
Led by Daniel Shays in 1786 and threatened to seize the Springfield arsenal and the rich Bostonians threatened to create a private 4000 man army to resist this
The results were voters voting to appeal to Shays’s demands and the Nationalists (Federalists) saw the breakdown of law and order = time to speak up for a strong central gov.
Needed to amend the Articles as they failed as Congress couldn’t raise funds
The rebellion was a persuasion to the states to meet n Philadelphia to amend the constitution
New Jersey Plan
Made June 15, 1787 by William Patterson
Wanted a unicameral legislature and each state got 1 vote (equal representation; wanted small states to have some power)
Congress could tax and regulate trade
Electoral College
Created by the Committee of Detail and was for the executive branch (president)
Pres. would be elected by EC and chosen by each state
The # of representatives + 2 senators = votes
2nd largest vote was VP
No majority vote = vote went to House with each state casting a vote
Bill of Rights
10 Amendments
1 = freedom of speech, religion, press, peace assembly, to petition the gov.
2 = bare arms, state regulated militia
3 = no quartering of troops w/o owner’s consent unless in times of war when Supreme Court declared (Sup. Court can change this)
4 = privacy against unlawful searches and seizures and need warrant (is specific, cannot arrest for what is not stated in warrant) w/ probable cause and affirmation of judge/court (however, can follow is plausible; ex: seeing someone run with gun into house)
5 = right to remain silent and to not speak against self; life, liberty, or property must be compensated for public use; no double jeopardy unless find more evidence
6 = speedy and public trial and right to jury in favor of convicted
7 = can sue for $20 or more (basically if something was destroyed/lost that is $20 or more due to another’s actions)
8 = no excessive bail or fine, no cruel or unusual punishment
9 = can’t infringe on citizens’ rights (life, liberty, property)
10 = anything not stated in Constitution goes to the states or people
Proclamation of Neutrality 1783
Not politically allied but could be economically allied
Was a result of indecisiveness of who to side with (Jefferson wanted France b/c GB treat America like colonies and Hamilton saw GB as too big of a threat to not appease)
Wanted to be neutral as to not lose the other economic ally in being allied with the other
Washington’s Farewell Address
Declared resignation from presidency
Left Demo.-Rep. shorthanded as it was in Sept. 1796 when election in Nov. = led to John Adams victory (Federalist)
Alexander Hamilton
Federalist/Nationalist Diverse econ. Great Brit. focused Wealthy to govern OK w/ debt Loose Constitution (Implied Powers) Cities
Thomas Jefferson
Jeffersonians/Localists Agricultural based France focused Common folk No large debt Strict Constitution (not in it, can't do it) Rural
Report of Public Credit
Wanted to reduce debt of $54,000,000 (owed money from Rev. war debt, foreign loans, own citizens)
Wanted to fund foreign and domestic obligations at FULL FACE value (no interest/surprise fee)
New gov. bonds at a moderate rate and urged the fed. gov. to assume responsibility for paying remaining debt
Some saw this as reducing of states’ power
Massachusetts and South Carol. already paid debt
Solution: Move capital to Potomac River (DC)
Passed
Report on the Bank
Created Nat. Bank in Jan. 1794 to be a depository for the gov. and could issue currency
80% private/20% public
Problems: control of the bank in the private sector (wealthy had advantage)
Part of the Implied Powers (not stated in constitution)
Passed Feb. 25, 1791
Report on Manufacturing
Dec. 1791
Gov. to stimulate manufacturing in the econ.
Free US from Europe and diversify the country and protect own industry through protective tariffs and industrial bounties (home econ.)
Madison + Jefferson had problem of other countries following this reasoning resulting in
Didn’t Pass
XYZ Affair
John Adams sent delegates to France (Pinckney, Marshall, and Gerry) to obtain compensation for ships that were seized and release from their treaty from 1778
Treatment was: three French delegates said that Talleyrand wouldn’t negotiate unless paid $250,000 and “loan” of millions of dollars
Federalists outraged by France, wanted war
Didn’t reveal names of delegates and labelled them as X, Y, and Z
Aliens and Sedition Acts
3 Acts:
Alien Enemies Law = allowed pres. to detain or deport citizens of nations US was at war with for sus behavior (wasn’t used b/c no war)
Alien Law = allowed pres. to expel any foreigner from US by executive decree (limited to 2 years and Adams didn’t exercise; Frenchmen left in fear of arrest)
Naturalization Law = 14 probationary period before foreigners could apply for US citizenship (against immigrants that would vote Demo.-Rep. and entrusted to the courts to enforce)
