Unit 3: The Constitution and the Federalist Era 1783-1800 Flashcards
Who and When were the Articles of Confederation completed by?
The Continental Congress in 1777
What was the first governing document of the “new nation”?
The Articles of Confederation
What are some of the flaws of the Articles of Confederation?
Congress did not have the power to tax or regulate trade.
There was no Executive Branch
What are some of the issues that the “new nation” faced?
Britain wouldn’t allow its colonies to trade with the “new nation”
States charged taxes on goods from other states.
States fought over western lands
List of Rebellions that occurred in the “new nation”.
Shay’s Rebellion, Pennsylvania 1783
Land Ordinance V. Northwest Ordinance
A plan that divided the lands that make up Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. It was divided into 36 square mile townships which were divided into 36 small plots.
Rules for a territory to be admitted as a state. Had to have 5,000 voting residents and elect its own government. had to reach 60,000 to be qualified as a state and banned slavery in those territories.
Shays Rebellion
Massachusetts farmers were unable to pay the taxes so Daniel Shay and 1200 other farmers went to the courthouse at Springfield and overtook it.
This showed the US government was too weak to do anything about the rebellion and led to a demand of a stronger government.
The Constitutional Convention
First time: 5 states out of 13 sent representatives Second Time: 12 states sent representatives George Washington presided over the convention. James Madison is thought to be the father of the Constitution. Purpose: to improve the Articles of Confederation.
Issue 1
Little states wanted equal representation for all states. Big states wanted representation based on population.
Solution!: Bicameral Legislature
House of Representatives V. Senate (Legislature Branch)
House of Representatives:
Lower House, Representation is based on population, Serves:2 years
Senate:
Upper house, Representation based on population, 2 per state, Serves:6 years
Issue 2
The south wanted slaves to count towards the population but northern states did not. (The south had more slaves which would give them more representation).
Solution!: Three fifths compromise. Ex: 500,000 slaves =30000
Issue 3
Dividing the powers between state and government.
Solution: Federalism(Divided the powers between the state and national Govt)
Enumerated V. Reserved
Enumerated (Delegated) Powers:
Held by the national government
Powers: National defense, Regulating trade between states, Foreign relations, and Printing Money
Reserved:
Held by the state
Powers:Education, Marriage laws, Driver’s licences, Trade within a state
Shared Powers(Concurrent)
National Government and State shares
Powers: Borrow money, Debt, Taxes, and Establish Courts.
Issue 4
Keeping the National government from becoming too powerful
Solution!: Checks and Balances!
Legislature: President can veto a law passed by congress
Executive: Congress can override president with 2/3 vote, and can prove judges to be unconstitutional
Judicial: Congress can remove judges
Executive Branch, Judicial Branch, and Legislature Branch
Executive: Carries out the laws (The president and Cabinet)
Legislature: Makes the Laws (Senate and HOR)
Judicial: Interprets the Laws (Supreme Court and lower courts)
Federalists V. Anti-Federalists
Federalists:
Wanted a strong central government
Support: Merchants, artisans, workers, and small states
Anti-Federalists:
Opposed Constitution. Protection over individual rights
Support: Farmers, and Large states
Demanded Speech, Religion, Press, trial by jury
R.A.P.P.S
Freedom of Religion Freedom of Press Freedom of Speech Freedom of Petition Freedom of Assembly
How did the Federalists win with Virginia and New York?
New York:Big population.Hamilton’s book convinced people
Virginia: Big population. Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments)
Electoral College
a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.
Creation of Cabinent
Congress created the Cabinent Secretary of State: Thomas Jefferson Secretary of Treasury: Alexander Hamilton Secretary of War: Henry Knox Attorney General: Edmund Randolph
USA’s Current Cabinent
Secretary of State: John Kerry
Secretary of Treasury: Jack Lew
Secretary of War: John McHugh
Attorney General: Eric H. Holder
Judicial Branch
Only court mentioned in the Constitution. Chief justice and 5 associates (Needed an uneven amount of people to get a majority vote). Created 13 district courts and 3 appeal courts
Alexander Hamilton V. Thomas Jefferson
Alexander Hamilton believed in a central govt.where commerce and industry were key to prosperity. The North Favored him.
Thomas Jefferson believed also in a central govt. but that farmers should have more power which was popular among the South and West.
Hamilton’s Proposal
Pay off national debt, high tariffs( tax on imported goods), and create a national bank. Opposition: Southern states already paid their debt. Thomas Jefferson said the constitution didn’t give the govt. the power to establish a national bank. Compromise: Capital is moved to the South. Federal govt. has control over state, tariffs but at lower rate, and national bank was privately owned.
Whiskey Rebellion
Whiskey had an exercise tax and farmers didn’t want that because it was easy for them to turn corn into whiskey and ship it over the mountains. So in response farmers attacked tax collectors. Washington and 15,000 troops marched to put the rebellion down. Outcome: Nobody was killed and it showed the strength of the government and gave people confidence
Washington’s legacy
Two-terms per president
The Federalists V. Democrat-Republican
Federalists:
Hamilton and John Adams led this group of people. They believed in a strong CENTRAL government led by well educated elite. They were pro British and favored tariffs, national bank, and trade & industry. Had a loose interpretation of the constitution.
Democrat-Republican:
Jefferson and Madison led this group of people. They believed in a strong STATE government and were pro French. They disagreed with Hamilton’s plan and had a strict interpretation of the Constitution.
Adams Election
John Adams (federalist) V. Thomas Jefferson (Democrat-Republican) the election showed the divisions and Adams won the Northeast.
XYZ Affair V. Alien Sedition Acts
XYZ Affair:
The French were seizing the American ships. The French ministers wanted bribes and the representatives refused. People wanted to go to war but Adams didn’t think the US was strong enough for a war.
Alien Sedition Acts:
The Alien Act was passed by federalists to hurt the democrat-republican. The act stated that in order to be a citizen you had to be 14. Also if the government thought that you were dangerous the government could deport you. The sedition Acts were an act that told the press that they couldn’t speak badly about the government or the president. That brought about controversy in the country and also hurt the federalist popularity. They eventually died out as a political party.
Shay’s Rebellion
Farmers were upset because they couldn’t pay the taxes. Daniel Shay and 1200 farmers went to the courthouse at Springfield and took it over. Outcome: Showed the countries weakness and led for a stronger government.
Who is the Father of the Constitution
James Madison
Strict V. Loose Interpretation
Strict: Powers are not specifically given to the national govt. by the constitution. Loose: Congress has the power to do whatever is “necessary and proper”
What did Washington warn against in his Farewell Address?
a party system and permanent foreign alliances
Checks and Balances
Legislature: President can veto a law passed by congress
Executive: congress can override president with 2/3s vote, can approve funding and can confirm or reject apt. to the courts.
Judicial: President has the power to pardon individuals convicted of crimes
