AMSCO 3.7-3.9

What did each of the 13 colonies do during the Revolutionary War?

Leaders worked to change them into independently governed states.

What was the structure of the new central government decided upon by the colonies?

Each state would have its own government and there would be a new central government.

What did conservatives and liberals debate during the drafting of each state constitution?

Conservatives focused on law and order while liberals emphasized protecting individual rights.

What did each state constitution begin with?

A Bill/Declaration of basic rights and freedoms.

Name some rights included in state constitutions.

Right to a jury trial and freedom of religion.

What structure was included in most state constitutions to protect against tyranny?

Separation of Powers: legislative, executive, and judicial.

What were the requirements for voting and running for office under the Articles of Confederation?

Must be white and own property.

What was the structure of the new government under the Articles of Confederation?

Had one body-Congress.

What was required to pass laws under the Articles of Confederation?

9 out of 13 state votes were required.

What did the Articles of Confederation lack?

Judiciary system and executive branch.

What was required to amend the Articles of Confederation?

Unanimous vote.

What powers were the Articles government empowered to do?

Wage war, make treaties, and borrow money.

What powers did the Articles government lack?

Regulate commerce, collect taxes, and enforce laws.

What did the Articles government achieve despite its weaknesses?

Independence, negotiated favorable treaty terms.

What was the Land Ordinance of 1785?

Established policy for surveying and selling western lands.

What did the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 establish?

Set rules for creating new states and prohibited slavery in the region.

What made the Northwest Territory attractive to settlers?

Affordability and land auction system that benefited the wealthy initially.

Why did the US have difficulty earning the respect of European nations?

Could not pay debts and lacked united action in a crisis.

What led to the economic depression after the Revolutionary War?

No dependable source of revenue to pay war debts.

Why couldn't the national government settle disputes between states?

Did not have the power.

Who was Daniel Shays?

A Massachusetts farmer and Revolutionary War veteran frustrated with high taxes and lack of currency.

What did Shays and his followers do?

Stopped tax collections and forced the closing of debtors' courts.

What did Shays's Rebellion demonstrate about the Articles of Confederation?

Showed weaknesses in the Articles.

Where did delegates meet to discuss problems with the Articles of Confederation in 1785?

Annapolis, Maryland.

What was the purpose of the meeting in Philadelphia?

To revisit the Articles of Confederation.

What did the 55 delegates at the Constitutional Convention have in common?

They were all white, male, and educated.

What did Washington, Madison, Hamilton, and Franklin want?

To strengthen the nation.

What did the Virginia Plan propose?

Favored larger states; representation based on population.

What did the New Jersey Plan propose?

Favored small states; equal representation.

What compromise was created to resolve representation issues?

The Connecticut Plan, which combined population-based representation and equal representation.

What was the 3/5 Compromise?

Counted three-fifths of slaves for representation purposes.

What did the delegates decide regarding the slave trade?

Slave trade would remain legal for an additional 20 years.

What compromise was enacted regarding trade?

Commercial Compromise allowed Congress to regulate interstate trade and foreign commerce but prohibited export taxes.

What was the role of the Electoral College?

to prevent mob rule and ensure every state had a say in presidential elections.

What powers were given to the President?

Considerable power, mainly the power to veto Congress.

What divide emerged regarding the new governing document?

Federalists versus Anti-Federalists.

What did the Federalist Papers argue?

The practicality of each part of the Constitution.

Who wrote the Federalist Papers?

James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.

Why were the Federalist Papers successful?

They were very persuasive.

Why were the Anti-Federalists opposed to the Constitution?

It lacked a list of specific rights and had too much central government power.

How did the Federalists counter the Anti-Federalist arguments?

They argued members of Congress were elected by the people.

What was required to gain support for the Constitution from the Anti-Federalists?

They had to add a Bill of Rights.

What was uncertain even after the required 9/13 states ratified the Constitution?

Large states like Virginia and New York had not ratified.

How was power divided under the new Constitution?

Between state and federal governments.

What powers resided with the federal government?

national defense and foreign affairs

What powers resided with the states?

local issues like schools and elections.

How have the federal government's powers expanded over time?

Increased interactions and added Constitutional amendments.

What are some powers of the legislative branch?

Makes laws, passes taxes, and allocates spending.

What are some powers of the executive branch?

Recommended and carries out laws and federal programs.

What are some powers of the judicial branch?

Interprets the law and the Constitution.

What limits Congress' power?

The President can veto laws and the Supreme Court can rule them unconstitutional.

What limits the President's power?

treaties must be ratified by congress.

What limits the Supreme Court's power?

Congress can write new laws.

What was the original purpose of the Bill of Rights?

to protect against abuse of power by the federal government.

How has the definition of protections in the Bill of Rights changed over time?

Now defends against state governments as well.

What protections does the Bill of Rights grant citizens?

Freedom of religion, speech, press, peaceful protest, and right to bear arms.

What is notable about the 9th and 10th amendments?

They state that rights of people and states exist whether stated or not.

What are some continuities in the structure of the government post-Constitution?

State and Federal Governments remained; strong central government maintained.

What are some changes brought about by the Constitution?

Addition of the Bill of Rights and increased federal government power.