Social Science Unit 3

What is the primary reason for creating a central government in 1777? What was the main fear surrounding it?

Reason: Declaration of Independence & war against Britain requires some type of government to oversee the new states.

Fear: Many feared a strong government would repeat the past. States governors also jealous of losing power - Exemplified power NY governor George Clinton

What is the Articles of Confederation?

• Written by John Dickerson

• One vote for each state

• 9 of 13 votes need to pass laws

• Unanimous vote needed to change AoC

What powers did the AoC have?

• Authorized to wage war on behalf of foreign governments

• Makes treaties with foreign governments

• Borrow money from private & public sources

What powers did the AoC lack?

• Could not collect taxes for the states

• Could not intervene in trade disputes between states

• Had no mechanism to enforce laws passed by the legislature

In what ways did the AoC sic as a government body?

• Negotiated the Treaty of Paris (1783), ending the American Revolution

  • Britain officially recognized independence of the states

• Took exchange of the land ceded to the states after the war

  • Created the Northwest Ordinance of 17887

    • Established the process by which new states would be created

    • Still in effect today

Problems faced by the AoC

• Had problems gaining income to support army & other services

• Could not pay debts it amassed after the American Revolution

Shay’s Rebellion

• Led by Daniel Shay against the government of Massachusetts

• Put down the state militia, but raised alarms nonetheless

Federal System

Form of government where a central government shares power w/ localized territorial governments

The Virginia Plan

• A bicameral (two chambers) legislatures called Congress

  • Membership in “lower” chamber (House of Representatives) decided by popular vote

  • Membership in “upper” chamber (The Senate) chosen by the state legislatures

  • Members of Congress would choose who filled the Executive & judicial roles in the new government

• Congress would have power to override state laws that violate laws passed by the national legislature

• Influenced by the British Parliament

• Virginia Plan seen as favoring states w/ larger populations

The New Jersey Plan

• Legislature would be unicameral

  • All states would have equal representation

  • Had powers of the Virginia Plan, but added power to tax & regulate within the states

• Board of Executives chosen by Congress

  • Could be removed at request of state legislature

  • Board of Executives would chosen members of the Judicial Tribunal

• Influenced by the Roman Republic

• New Jersey Plan seen as supporting smaller states

The Great Compromise

• Kept bicameral legislative plan

  • Senate - 2 per state

  • House of Representatives - Population-based

• Created executive & judicial institutions separate from the legislature

• Allowed central government to control external & regulate trade between states

  • Central government would gain via tariffs

• Major issue revolved around representation & taxation based on populations

  • Compromised to count each enclaved person 3/5 of a free person

Define Mercantilism.

Mercantilism was the idea that there is a finite amount of wealth in the world. Because of that, counties had to compete to acquire as much of that wealth as possible.

What factors increased enforcement of Mercantilism in Britain's American colonies?

After the Seven Years War the British government had to borrow 150,000,000 pounds, and the interest payments on that money ate up half the national budget. In order to pay for the war, the British decided to raise taxes.

What was included in the Navigation Acts?

The Navigation Acts regulated and taxed American trade. These laws required colonists to trade only with English ships and only from a list of approved goods, and forbid exporting goods directly to other countries.