Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
(1) Congress could not collect taxes (2) No separate executive or judiciary system. (3)required an unanimous vote from all states to amend (4) No national currency
3/5 Compromise
Counted enslaved people for votes to comprise for the southern need for more representation
Abigail Adams
First Lady to John Adams; advocated for women's rights early in the republic when Constitution was drafted
African Americans during revolutionary war?
British offered freedom to African Americans. Eventually, around 5,000 African Americans served alongside the Patriots.
Albany Plan of Union
Proposed joint colonial government for defense and taxes by 7 colonies during French and Indian War, failed due to lack of funding, but set precedent for colonial unity
Alien and Sedition Acts
Series of laws passed in 1798 by the United States Congress by Federalist Party, aimed at restricting citizenship of foreigners and limiting criticism of the government. Very unpopular
Anti-Federalists
Opponents of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, arguing that it gave too much power to the federal government. They advocated for a Bill of Rights later in the Constitution.
Articles of Confederation
First constitution of the United States, adopted in 1777 and ratified in 1781. They established a loose union of states with a weak central government, granting most power to the individual states
Bill of Rights
First 10 Amendments to the US Constitution written to guarantee individual rights; written to appease anti-Federalists like James Madison and Thomas Jefferson
Boston Massacre
Incident where British troops fired on crowd of angry Bostonians, causing an accidental shooting; massive propoganda victory for anti-British colonists
Checks and Balances
Power of each branch would be limited by the powers of the others, for example Presidential Veto
Committees of Correspondence
Network of committees in various colonies which circulated reports of the British undermining American liberties
Common Sense
Pamphlet by Thomas Paine which advocated independence to colonists from Britain in simple, easy-to-understand language; effective in convincing much of the public to independence causeac
Connecticut Plan/ Great Compromise
A Constitutional compromise that established the Senate with equal state representation and the House of Representatives based on population
Continentials
During 1775-1777, a currency called "continentals" circulated. When British occupied American ports, their value plummeted, rendering them worthless.
Debate on the Bill of Rights
The debate surrounding the inclusion of a Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution. The Federalists argued that a bill of rights was unnecessary while the Anti-Federalists insisted it was essential for protecting individual liberties
Declaration Act
Act which declared Parliament alone had the right to levy taxes after Stamp Act was repealed in 1766
Democratic Republican Party
First political party. Support by Thomas Jefferson, opposed Hamilton Financial Program, Strictly follow constitution, Supported by South an West
Economic Problems with the Aritlcles of Confederation
Weak government wasn't able to collect taxes and couldn't regulate internal trade; resulting in economic weakness as states bickered amongst themselves
Electoral College System
Originally in Constitution, each state (though it's legislature) appoints electors who formally elect the President and Vice President. The system was designed to limit some of the power of a direct popular election
Fedarlism
A system with a strong but limited central government adopted after the Articles of Confederation
Federalist party
First political party. Supported Hamilton's Financial Program. Loosely interpret constitution, mainly supported by North
French and Indian War (7 Years War)
The decisive war which cemented British control of the Americas at the expense of the French and laid foundation for British-colonial tension
Great Compromise
Compromise during the Constitutional Convention where both the House of Representatives (which favored large states) and the Senate (which favored smaller ones) were adopted together
Hamilton's Financial Program
1. Pay off the national debt and assume state debts 2. Protective tariff 3. Create a national bank
Intolerable Acts 1774
A series of laws passed by the British Parliament to punish the colony of Massachusetts Bay for the Boston Tea Party such as closing Harbor and increase military there
Judiciary Act of 1789
Established a Supreme Court with one chief justice and five associate justices, 13 district federal courts were also established with lesser judicial powers than the Supreme Court.
Kentucky and Virgnia Resolutions
A state could nullify federal law if the federal government broke the compact. Also took stance stating that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional
Land Ordinance of 1785
Bill passed by Congress under the Aritlces of Confederation that split up land in the west and designated land for public education
National Bank
Depositing government funds and print banknotes to provide a stable US currency, supported by North, opposed by Anti-Federalists
New Jersey Plan
This constitutional plan proposed a single legislature with equal representation for each state. Favored smaller states.
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Most important law passed under the Articles of Confederation; setup system where new states created from the Northwest territory, prohibited slavery in the region, and granted it limited self-governance
Olive Branch Petition
Colonists wanted peace yet the right to keep their colonial rights, so they set this to King George, who dismmissed the petition and passed the Phrobitiory Act, hich halted all trade between Britain and the colonists immediatly.
Pontiac's Rebellion
Rebellion of Native American Chief Pontiac against British encroachment; distrust of colonials caused British to send the army, deepening their financial crisis
Proclomation of 1763
Effort to ensure peace between Natives and colonists by declaring line in the Appalachian Mountains no colonist could settle across; colonists hated it
Public Land Act
Established orderly procedure for dividing and selling federal lands at moderate prices, made it easier to add new states to Union
Quartering Act (1765)
Act requiring colonists to provide food and housing for British soldiers in the colonies
Ratification of Constitution, How easy was it to do? What did it take?
Process by which Constitution was adopted across the United States; required numerous compromises like the Great Compromise (creating modern Congress) and the 3/5ths compromise (relating to representation in Congress and taxes)
Republican Motherhood
Societal structure where women taught children republican values in the home; first major movement for women in society
Salutary Neglect
British policy where they had little direct control in the colonies and didn't enforce many trade laws; ended after Peace of Paris
Seperation of Powers
Dividing power among different branches of government, between executive, legislative, and judicial branch. Allowed for no abuse by one certain power.
ex: Executive, legislative, and judicial branches with checks and balances; e.g., Senate appoints judges, judiciary reviews government actions
Shays Rebellion
Farmers were angered by taxes and fought against the Massachusetts militia; This highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Significance of the Cotton Gin
This invention could quickly process cotton and therefore made it more profitable leading to a desire to increase the number of slaves in the south
Sons and Daughters of Liberty
A violent secret society formed to resist British taxation in the American colonies before the Revolution, particularly targeting the Stamp Act. They employed tactics such as torture against tax collectors
Stamp Act
British law placing taxes on printed paper goods; first direct tax directly on people instead of just a tariff
Stamp Act Congress
Gathering of colonial representatives in 1765 to protest British taxation without colonial consent. They produced the "Declaration of Rights and Grievances," asserting that only colonial assemblies had the right to impose taxes. This event helped unite the colonies against British policies
Strengths of Articles of Confederation
Document provided a limited power for federal government, and introduced too much power to the states in congress
Sugar Act (1764)
Bill that placed taxes on imported sugar and enforced Navigation Acts more harshly; ended Salutary Neglect
The Delegates of the First Continental Congress
Attending the convention, were wealthy white men
The Federalists Papers
A collection of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to support the ratification of the Constitution.
3/5 Compromise
A compromise which determined that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in the HOR. It was a pivotal agreement in the debates over representation and slavery.
Treaty of Paris
Treaty that ended the Revolutionary Wars where Britain withdrew from America and recognized it as a nation; not properly enforced due to weakness of Articles of Confederation
Two Term Tradition
A majority of presidents would serve for 2 terms then exit office voluntarily, however, Franklin Roosevelt broke this tradition by being elected for a 3rd term
Virginia Plan
This Constitutional plan proposed a strong central government with a bicameral legislature, favoring representation based on a state's population. Favored large states
Whiskey Rebellion
Direct taxes on whiskey, Pennyslvanian farmers refused to pay the federal tax and rebelled. Washington placed 15,000 state militia to counter rebellion. Proved Government would enforce laws
Why was Battle of Saratoga significant?
This battle convinced France to join the war for American independence against the British
Writ of Assistance
A general license to search colonist's home without the need for a judge's warrant; comprised enforcement portion of the Townshed Act