Chapter 7-Give Me Liberty

Articles of Confederation

First written constitution of the United States. Was drafted in 1777 by congress and ratified by the states in 1781. Declared the new government a "Perpetual Union" Said that the government should be one house and that each state got one vote. Each State would remain sovereignty. Called a "firm league of friendship" No judiciary branch.

"public domain"

The area controlled by the federal government, stretching from the western boundaries of existing states to the Mississippi River

"western land claims"

All 13 states would stretch their land claims west of their colonies. Eastern states had to give up their claims of land in exchange for signing the constitution.

Land Ordinance of 1784

Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, established stages of self-government for the west. These would be diveded into regions that would initially be governed by Congress and then would be admitted into the union as member states. Would be 36 square miles. You could buy 1 square mile parts!

Old Northwest

Second ordnance, made in 1785. Would regulate land sales in the region North of the Ohio Valley. Land would be surveyed by government than sold in sections of a score mile at $1 per acre.

township

A square normally 6 miles on a side. The Land Ordinance of 1785 divided much of the United States into a series of townships

"sections"

townships would be divided into this were 1 square mile each. 1 square mile was this.

Northwest Ordinance (1787)

Called for the establishment of 3-5 states north of the ohio valley and east of the Mississippi. Enacted the basic principle of "Empire of Liberty". This pledged "utmost good faith" shall be taken towards the indians.

Shays's Rebellion (1787)

Armed uprising of western Massachusetts debtors seeking lower taxes and an end to property foreclosures They also wanted there to be paper money.

James Madison

Ally of Thomas Jefferson, thought about nature of political freedom. Among the group of talented and well organized men who spearheaded the movement for a stronger government.

Alexander Hamilton

Came to America as a youth from the West Indies. Served as an army officer in the war for independence.

Constitutional Convention (1787)

In 1787 delegates agreed to scrap the articles of confederation and make a new constitution. 55 men gathered but not Thomas Jefferson and John Adams because they were in Europe as diplomats. Delegates here agreed on many points. 3 branches of government would be created

Virginia Plan

Presented by James Madison, was a plan proposing the creation of a two house legislature with the States population determining its representation in each. Smaller states were afraid that bigger states would control.

New Jersey Plan

Supported by smaller states, was calling for a single house legislature with each state having one vote in it regardless of size.

bicameral legislature

A lawmaking legislature made up of two chambers or parts. In the US it was used as the House of Representatives and the Senate.

House of Representatives

Elected by popular vote, one of the two houses. Each states amount of representatives would be determined by its population. Served two year terms.

Senate

Each state would get 2 representatives regardless of size, would be elected every six years.

electoral college

Choose the president of the United States. Each state was given electoral college members depending on its size. Each elector got to cast two votes, one the president the other the vice. If no one gets the majority, the top 3 finalists would be voted on by the hOuse of Representatives, then the senate would elect the VP.

federalism

Refers to the relationship between the national government and the states. The constitution gave more national authority and less state authority. Sometimes called Division of Powers.

division of powers

Also known as Federalism, referred to the relationship between the national government and that of the states.

checks and balances

Often called "Separation of Powers." Refers to the way the Constitution seeks to prevent a branch of the government from dominating the other two. Examples are allowing President to Veto laws, Congress can override veto with 2/3 majority, President apoints supreme court judges, but they serve for life.

separation of powers

Often called "Checks and balanes." Refers to the way the Constitution seeks to prevent a branch of the government from dominating the other two. Examples are allowing President to Veto laws, Congress can override veto with 2/3 majority, President apoints supreme court judges, but they serve for life.

veto

If the president does not approve of a law that is being passed he can do this to it. However if congress doesn't agree they can override this with a 2/3 majority.

"supreme law of the land"

What the Constitution of the United States is called sometimes.

slave trade clause

Clause that allowed a commerce to be condemned by civilized society to be continued until 1808, meaning that Congress was not allowed to prohibit slavery until 1808.

fugitive slave clause

Accorded slave laws "extraterritoriality" meaning that slave status is remaining attached to the person even if he or she escapes where slavery is abolished.

Somerset case

Famous case in 1772 in which the lawyer of a West Indian slave obtained his client's freedom by invoking the words "the air of England is too pure for a slave to breathe" He got his client freedom!

3/5 clause

When determining votes for congress and how many representatives they got slaves would count as 3/5 of a person.

necessary and proper clause

The Congress shall have Power - To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

interstate commerce clause

an enumerated power listed in the United States Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3). The clause states that the United States Congress shall have

power to regulate commerce among foreign Nations, among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes."

The Federalist

Series of 85 essays that were made to try and gain support for the signing of the constitution. Were published by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay under the pen name Publius

Publius

Pen name that published The Federalist. Were actually Hamilton, Madison, and Jay.

Federalist No. 10

Famous section of the federalist made by Madison, stated a vision of a society between government and individual.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the ratification of the constitution. They thought it gave too much power. Lacked leadership. They predicted that the new government would fall under merchants and creditors. Wanted Bill of Rights.

Federalists

Those that SUPPORTED the ratification of the constitution.

Bill of Rights

Wanted by the anti-federalists. drafted by a group led by James Madison, consisted of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, which guaranteed the civil rights of American citizens.

First Amendment

Gave Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition the government.

Second Amendment

Gave the "right to bear arms" meaning that citizens could own guns.

Tenth Amendment

Powers not granted by federal government are reserved to the states.

Eighth Amendment

Prohibited cruel and unusual punishments

Miami Confederacy

Indian tribe in the Ohio Valley led by Little Turtle

Henry Knox

Secretary of War during the administration of George Washington Said that American treatment of the continent's native inhabitants had been even "more destructive to the Indian" than Spain's conduct in Mexico and Peru.

Arthur St. Clair

American governor of the Northwest territory defeated by the Miami Confederacy and Little Turtle

Battle of Fallen Timbers

In 1794, american troops would defeat the Miami Confederacy while being led by Anthony Wayne. Led to the Treaty of Greenville

Treaty of Greenville

Caused by Battle of Fallen Timbers. Treaty said that twelve indian tribes would give most of Ohio and Indiana to the government. Created "annuity" system giving yearly grants of money to Indian tribes.

"assimilation"

Many such as Thomas Jefferson rejected the idea that Indians were inferior to Whites. They believed that the indians were at a less advanced stage of civilization. Wanted them to do small-scale farming

"Letters From an American Farmer"

One of the most widely read books of its era, published in 1782 by Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur, would discuss process of exclusion. Popularized the idea that the US was "a melting pot" meaning that all cultures are blended into one in America. When writing it, he excluded blacks from being considered the american people.

Naturalization Act (1795)

Offered the first legislative definition of American nationality. Congress restricted the process of becoming a citizen from abroad to "free white persons.

manumission

the formal act of freeing from slavery