U.S. Constitution Study Guide

Strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

In the late 1770’s to 1780’s, the Continental Congress in the 13 original states made a constitution called the Articles of Confederation because the states needed to make a government. The constitution, a list of rules that explain what a government is allowed to do and not allowed to do, made the states united and to be able to help each one out when needed, but each state governs itself, The National government contained the Congress who made laws and allowed each state 1 vote, but the government was weak and it didn’t have a executive leader to enforce laws, so the Articles of Confederation was replaced 10 years later with the U.S. Constitution.

What was Shay’s Rebellion?

During 1786-1787, Daniel Shays’, a farmer, and other farmers in Massachusetts fought an armed rebellion against the government called, “Shays’ Rebellion”. Daniel Shays and the farmers were upset that they were facing high taxes because the Continental Army needed to pay off war debts, also, soldiers were promised money after the war, but nobody had anything to pay them with, no money and no gold and silver. Farmers felt that the government was ignoring their struggles, so Daniel Shays’ and his followers protested, had armed marches, and shut down courthouses to stop foreclosures, which this event that lasted from 1786-1787 showed the country that the Articles of Confederation had to go.

Definitions for six key concepts in the Constitution

In 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, leaders in the 13 American States and delegates had the Constitutional Convention to rework the Articles of Confederation because it was weak, so they wanted to create a strong but limited government that would protect individual rights, which this is called the U.S. Constitution. The foundation of the U.S. Constitution was formed by 6 key principles, Popular Sovereignty, Limited government, Republicanism, Federalism, Separation of Powers, and Checks and Balances. Popular Sovereignty is the consent of the people that the government is based on, Checks and Balances is the 3 branches of the government can limit each others power, Republicanism being the citizens can become representatives, Limited government is when the governments power is limited by laws, Federalism means that the National governments power is shared with the State government, and lastly, Separation of Powers is the 3 branches divide power.

what was the Constitutional Convention?

In May of 1787, 55 delegates including George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and George Mason met in the Pennsylvania State House to have the Constitutional Convention to draft and revise the U.S. Constitution. The delegates met to discuss about the Articles of Confederation and it’s weaknesses because they needed to create a new government and create laws as soon as possible. James Madison wrote down detailed notes and was an important role at the Constitutional Convention, George Washington gave an effective presence, Alexander Hamilton wrote many essays about the constitution and presented his own plans, and George Mason was necessary to the new government, and in 4 months, they wrote the U.S. Constitution

How should congressional representatives be chosen (elected or appointed)? How should states be represented in Congress? (Based on population or equal votes for each state)

In the year 1787, delegates from 12 of 13 states had a meeting called the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to discuss about choosing representation, which they debated over it, voted, and made compromises. The delegates disagreed with how representatives should be chosen, elected by the people or appointed by state legislatures, also they disagreed with the Virginia Plan, a government plan by James Madison, which created 3 branches, and would choose members based on state population. On the other hand, delegates disagreed with this plan, so they presented the New Jersey plan, which stated that each stew should have 1 vote, making equal representation.

How long should presidential terms be (long or short)?

In 1787, delegates in the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania debated presidential term limits and how the president in the executive branch should be elected. The delegates disagreed about how long or short a presidents term should be, and had dozen of debates. Alexander Hamilton and James Madison both thought that the president should serve until they died (lifetime), unlike some delegates who thought that the president should serve for 4 years, but there was no set limit on how many times the president could be reelected, until George Washington set an unofficial limit of a two- term limit. Lastly, they agreed that the president would be elected by electors in each state, which the electors would be from the society.

What was the Great Compromise?

In the year 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, delegates from 12 of the 13 states made a compromise that created a bicameral (two house) legislature by debating plans on the new government, this was called the Great Compromise. The delegates disagreed on whether representatives should be chosen based on population and size or each state should have equal representatives, which these plans were called the Virginian plan by James Madison and the New Jersey plan by William Paterson. The delegates debated about the plans and eventually with the help of Roger Sherman, combined James Madison’s plan and William Paterson plan to create a bicameral legislature.