National Government: 1st 9 weeks study guide

Declaration of Independence, Author

Thomas Jefferson

Declaration of Independence, Enlightenment Philosophers

John Locke and Montesquieu

Declaration of Independence, Unalienable rights

life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

Articles of Confederation, primary structure

Confederation government, "firm league of friendship", weak central government 1 branch, 1 state, 1 vote

Articles of Confederation, major weakness

weak central government with no power to tax, could not raise an army, or regulate commerce. Ineffective in law enforcement and unable to pay debts. Interstate conflicts. No executive or judicial branch.

Articles of Confederation, Northwest Ordinance

balance of slave and free states

Articles of Confederation, economic issues

national government lacked power to tax, regulate commerce, or enforce uniform currency

Shays rebellion, who

led by daniel shays, veteran farmers and debtors from massachussets revolted

Shays rebellion, why

revolted against severe economic hardship, including high taxes and extreme debt.

Shays rebellion, what did it show about the government?

the federal government was too weak and was inable to respond because it lacked the power to raise an army, tax, or effectively address economic issues.

Constitutional Convention, who

55 delegates attended, including George Washington, Hamilton, James Madison, George Mason, Ben Franklin, James Wilson

Constitutional Convention, what

The 1787 meeting of delagates in Philadelphia to revise the Articles, ultimately established a new government under the U.S. Constitution, replacing the Articles of Confederation

Constitutional Convention, where

Philadelphia

Constitutional Convention, why

to revise the Articles of Confederation because the government was too weak, leading to economic instability, interstate disputes, and inability to enforce laws. Trying to create a republic with limited powers (checks and balances).

Constitutional Convention, Virginia plan

to establish a strong central government with 3 branches and 2-house legislature with representation based of population. Written by James Madison. Benefits big states.

Constitutional Convention, New Jersey plan

advocated for equal state representation in a 1 house legislature. Proposed by William Patterson. Benefits small states.

Constitutional Convention, Great Compromise

established a bicameral (2-house) legislature; representation based on population in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate

Constitutional Convention, 3/5 compromise

3/5 of the enslaved population was counted for purposes of determining a states total population for legislative representation (House of Reps) and taxation.

Federalist Paper goals

to persuade the people of New York to retify the newly proposed United States Constitution and to build public and political support for it.

Anti-Federalist Paper goals

to prevent the ratification of the new Constitution by arguing that Congress/federal government was too powerful and would threaten individual liberties and state rights.