Q2 Test 1 History

Weakness of the Articles of Confederation regarding leadership

Lack of a strong leader; decision-making was the responsibility of committees.

Ineffectiveness in military matters

Absence of a federal army; relied solely on state militias.

Issue with the federal court system

No federal court system to resolve disputes among states.

Federal government and taxation

Lacked power to levy taxes.

Changing a law under the Articles of Confederation

Required unanimous consent from all 13 states.

Purpose of the Northwest Ordinance

To delineate territories and outline statehood processes.

Guarantees for settlers in the Northwest Territory

Assurance of religious freedom and trial by jury.

Event that exposed Articles of Confederation weaknesses

Shay’s Rebellion.

Outcome of Shay's Rebellion

Increased concern over the Articles' effectiveness.

Concern regarding slavery post-Revolution

Contradictions between the struggle for liberty and slavery.

When and where was the Constitutional Convention held?

May 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

President of the Constitutional Convention

George Washington.

Federalists' beliefs on government structure

Support for a robust central government led by the wealthy.

Anti-Federalists' primary concern

Desire for strong state government and individual rights protection.

Virginia Plan representation proposal

Representation based on state population.

Great Compromise

Established a bicameral legislature with population-based representation in one house and equal representation in another.

3/5 Compromise

Counted 3 out of 5 slaves for representation and taxation purposes.

Popular sovereignty definition

Government authority rests with the people.

Separation of powers principle

Division of government responsibilities into distinct branches.

Checks and balances meaning

Each government branch has some influence over others to prevent dominance.

Anti-Federalists' demand for the new Constitution

Inclusion of a Bill of Rights.

First Amendment protections

Guarantees freedom of religion and expression.

Second Amendment right

Protection of the right to bear arms.

Third Amendment provision

Citizens cannot be compelled to house soldiers.

Fourth Amendment search warrant requirement

Must specify the location, person, and items involved.

Fifth Amendment assurance

Guarantees due process of law.

Sixth Amendment rights

Guarantees a fair trial and the right to an attorney.

Eighth Amendment prohibition

Bans cruel and unusual punishment.

Ninth Amendment implication

Recognition of unenumerated rights retained by the people.

Tenth Amendment significance

Reserves powers not granted to the federal government for the states.

George Washington's role regarding the Articles of Confederation

Concern over the Articles' inadequacy.

Purpose of committees under the Articles of Confederation

To facilitate decision-making in lieu of an executive branch.

Economic principle supported by Federalists

Manufacturing-based economy.

Articles of Confederation tax system

Congress could only request state tax payments.

Constitutional power granted to Congress

Ability to levy taxes on individuals.

Impact of Shay's Rebellion

Highlighted the Articles' shortcomings.

Constitutional Convention response to representation issues

Creation of the Great Compromise.

Initial goal of the Constitutional Convention

Address weaknesses of the Articles.

Key figures at the Constitutional Convention

Included George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison.

Document outlining rights of US citizens

Bill of Rights.

Federalists' view on the Bill of Rights

Considered it unnecessary.

Anti-Federalist concern during Constitution ratification

Absence of a Bill of Rights to safeguard freedoms.

Function of legislative branch

Creation of laws.

Function of executive branch

Law enforcement.

Function of judicial branch

Interpretation of laws.

Document that limited government powers

Magna Carta.

John Locke's philosophical focus

Natural rights.

Key aspect of the English Bill of Rights

Protection of certain individual rights.

Federalism definition

Power shared between state and national governments.

Significance of the Mayflower Compact

Establishment of self-government by the people.

Benjamin Franklin's role at the Constitutional Convention

Provided wisdom as one of the elder delegates.

Anti-Federalists' economic focus

Agriculture-based economy.

Issue resolved by the Great Compromise

Representation conflict in Congress.

Reason Southern states wanted slaves counted in representation

Boost political power without corresponding taxes.

Economic difference between North and South

North had a diversified economy, South relied on slavery.

Congress' limitation under the Articles regarding trade

Inability to regulate interstate commerce.

Consequence of lacking a federal army

State militias acted independently, causing inefficiency.

Principle of limited government

Laws apply equally to everyone.

Replacement for the Articles of Confederation

The Constitution.

Function of committees under the Articles

Collective decision-making in absence of an executive.

Public opinion shift due to Shay’s Rebellion

Need for stronger federal authority.

Proposer of the New Jersey Plan

William Patterson.

Federalists' stance on national government role

Advocated for a stronger national authority.

Meaning of Republicanism

Representative democracy.

First Amendment rights

Includes freedom of speech, press, assembly, religion, and petition.

Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination

Guarantee of legal rights.

Constitution's military-related differences from the Articles

Empowers Congress to raise an army.

Term for divided government powers

Federalism.

Establishment of checks and balances

Constitution's power division mechanism.

Contents of the Bill of Rights

First ten constitutional amendments.

First action under the Articles of Confederation

Creation of postal services.

Influential concepts for Constitution framers

Ideas from the Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, and Enlightenment thinkers.

Framers' goal with Bill of Rights

Protection of individual liberties.

Amendment requirements under the Articles

Unanimous approval from all 13 states.

Event that prompted leaders to reassess the Articles

Shay’s Rebellion.

Mechanism for law passage in Constitution

Majority in both houses plus presidential approval.

Purpose of Fourth Amendment

Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures.

Bicameral legislative definition

Two-house system in Congress.

Sovereignty definition in government context

Supreme power or authority.

Limitation of the Articles regarding trade

No capacity for regulating interstate trade.

Framers' approach to preventing branch dominance

Establishment of checks and balances.

Major concern of delegates at Constitutional Convention

Weaknesses of the existing Articles.

Key proponents of strong central government

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.

Criteria for territory statehood application under Northwest Ordinance

Minimum population of 60,000.

Purpose of the Federalist Papers

To support the Constitution's ratification.

Anti-Federalists' fear without Bill of Rights

Risk of government infringement on rights.

Natural rights concept proponent

John Locke.

Deficiency in Articles for international relations

Weak central authority for treaty negotiations.

Separation of powers principle illustration

Division of government into branches.

John Jay's contribution to governance

Advocated for a strong national government as a Federalist.

Articles' approach to military needs

Depended on often inadequate state militias.

Federalists vs Anti-Federalists fundamental disagreement

Strong national government versus emphasis on states' rights.

Key Articles of Confederation weaknesses

Lack of executive authority, tax power, and national defense.

First indication of discontent under the Articles

Shay's Rebellion.

Liberty protection model for Constitution framers

Development of the Bill of Rights.

Characteristic of federal government structure

Power sharing between national and state levels.

Critical governance need identified by framers

Checks to avert tyranny.

Montesquieu's government ideology

Advocacy for separation of powers.

Composition of the legislative branch

Encompasses the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Resolution for slave counting controversy

3/5 Compromise.