Personal EOC Study Guide #5

What was the purpose of the Articles of Confederation, and how did they establish a national government?

The Articles of Confederation created a loose confederation of states with a unicameral Congress to manage common concerns like diplomacy and war.

What were the main strengths of the Articles of Confederation?

Its strengths included successfully managing western land claims and creating processes for settling and admitting new states.

What was the Land Ordinance of 1785, and how did it organize the settlement of western lands?

The Land Ordinance of 1785 divided western lands into townships and sections, providing an orderly process for land sales and settlement.

How did the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 address westward migration and the addition of new states?

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 set rules for governing and admitting new states in the Northwest Territory, ensuring they would be equal to the original states.

What rules regarding slavery were included in the Northwest Ordinance?

The Northwest Ordinance prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory, marking an early attempt to limit the spread of slavery.

How did the Northwest Ordinance promote public education in new territories?

The ordinance promoted public education by reserving one section of each township for schools.

What were the main weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, particularly regarding taxation and commerce?

The Articles lacked the power to tax or regulate commerce, leaving the federal government financially weak and dependent on states for funds.

Why was the national government under the Articles unable to address interstate trade disputes?

Without the ability to regulate interstate trade, states imposed tariffs on each other, creating economic conflicts and inefficiencies.

What was Daniel Shays’ Rebellion, and what caused it?

Daniel Shays’ Rebellion was a revolt by farmers in Massachusetts who faced high taxes and debt, leading to the foreclosure of their farms.

How did Shays’ Rebellion highlight the inability of the Articles of Confederation to maintain order?

The rebellion demonstrated the federal government’s inability to maintain order, as it could not raise an army to quell the uprising.

What impact did Shays’ Rebellion have on the push for a stronger central government?

Shays’ Rebellion alarmed leaders and underscored the need for a stronger central government, ultimately leading to the Constitutional Convention.

What was the Great Compromise, and how did it resolve disputes over representation?

The Great Compromise resolved disputes over representation by creating a bicameral legislature: the House of Representatives (based on population) and the Senate (equal representation).

How did the Constitution ensure a limited government?

The Constitution ensured a limited government by explicitly defining powers granted to the federal government and reserving others to the states.

What was the Three

Fifths Compromise, and how did it address representation and taxation issues?

How did the framers of the Constitution separate powers among the three branches of government?

The Constitution separated powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful.

What is the principle of checks and balances, and how does it operate under the Constitution?

The principle of checks and balances allowed each branch to monitor and limit the powers of the others, ensuring accountability.

What were the main arguments of the Anti

Federalists against the Constitution?

How did Federalists defend the Constitution during the ratification debates?

Federalists defended the Constitution by arguing it created a strong but balanced government capable of addressing the weaknesses of the Articles.

What role did The Federalist Papers play in promoting the Constitution’s ratification?

The Federalist Papers, written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, explained the Constitution’s provisions and reassured skeptics of its checks on power.

How did Alexander Hamilton contribute to the Federalist cause?

Alexander Hamilton emphasized the need for a strong central government to regulate commerce, provide security, and promote economic stability.

How did James Madison address concerns about the size and power of the federal government?

James Madison argued in favor of a large republic to prevent factions from dominating government and supported a system of checks and balances.

What were the main objections to the Constitution that Anti

Federalists raised?

Why was the inclusion of a Bill of Rights essential to securing ratification?

The inclusion of a Bill of Rights was essential to secure the support of Anti

What protections were established in the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

The first ten amendments guaranteed protections such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press, the right to a fair trial, and protection against unwarranted searches.

How did the Bill of Rights reflect the principle of limited government?

The Bill of Rights limited government power by explicitly listing rights that the government could not infringe upon.

How did the addition of the Bill of Rights address fears of a strong federal government?

The Bill of Rights alleviated fears of a strong federal government by safeguarding individual freedoms and reinforcing the principle of limited government.