APUSH Unit 4: Making a New Nation (1781-1789)

What was the Massachusetts' State Constitution?

Massachusetts ratified its constitution in 1780. The Massachusetts State Consitution differed from all the other state constitutions because it didn't allow ordinary politics to get involved or change the Constitution, thus protecting it.

Why was the Massachusetts' State Constitution important?

The Massachusetts state constitution was the first state constitution that protected the constitution from corruption or any changes that any poloticians wanted to make to it. 

What was the Northwest Land Ordinance?

The Ordinance of 1787 created a Northwest Territory and abandoned the ten districts that had been established in 1784. The Ordinance also stated that for freedom of religion to be allowed and for slavery to be abolished, a state needed to have a population of 60,000. The lands south of the Ohio River were neglected by Congress which led to chaos in the regions that would become Tennessee and Kentucky. 

What was the Battle of Fallen Timbers?

The warrior Little Turtle led a group of tribes to fight in a battle against colonists near the western border of Ohio. The struggle of 1791 proved an incredible victory for the Native Americans, and when Little Turtle was asked to sign a settlement treaty he refused. It wasn't until the battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794 that General Wayne led 4,000 against the natives and won.

Who was Daniel Shays?

 Daniel Shays was one of the principal leaders of the uprising of farmers who were fighting for relief from their debts that took place in 1786. 

Who were the Supporters of a Strong Centralized Government?

The Supporters were a group of affluent and wealthy men in the country who wanted a government that was more economically stable to benefit them.

Who was Alexander Hamilton?

Alexander Hamilton was a lawyer, reformist, and military aide to George Washington. He was unsatisfied with the weak, decentralized government that the Articles of Confederation had only confirmed. He allied with James Madison of Virginia after sharing his thoughts of wanting to call for a national convention to overhaul the document.

What was Hamiltons Proposal (1786)?

In 1786, Alexander Hamilton's proposal was to call for a constitutional convention to revise the Articles of Confederation and improve the federal government

What was the Virginia Plan?

The Virginia Plan, also known as James Madison’s Plan, proposed a new national legislature for the United States. It would comprise two houses, a lower and an upper house. The lower houses would consist of a varied number of representatives according to the population of their state, and the representatives of the lower house would elect the members of the upper house. 

What was the New Jersey Plan?

The New Jersey Plan was a proposal for the structure of the United States government presented at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. It aimed to maintain the existing unicameral legislature of the Articles of Confederation, with equal representation for each state, regardless of population.

What was the Great Compromise?

The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that established a bicameral legislature. It combined elements of the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan, creating a House of Representatives with representation based on population and a Senate with equal representation for each state.

How was Sovereignty added to the government?

 It was decided that the people of America had all of the power in the government. This confirmed the fact that neither the government nor the state governments were sovereign. The American government and the Constitution were the Supreme Law, meaning that no other other state would be able to resist it. To avoid a tyrannical government, the leaders of the country took inspiration from Baron De Montesquieu who stated that the government and its people had to be as one. 

What is the separation of powers?

The separation of powers is a political doctrine that divides government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another. This framework is designed to prevent the concentration of power and provide checks and balances within the government.

What is checks and balances?

Checks and balances is a system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful by providing each branch with the authority to limit the powers of the others.

Who were the Federalists and what did they support?

The Federalists were a political group in the early United States that supported the ratification of the Constitution. They believed in a strong central government and advocated for a system that balanced power between the federal and state governments.

What group of people were mainly federalists?

Prominent leaders such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, along with wealthy merchants and property owners, primarily supported Federalist ideals.

Who were the Anti-Federalists?

The Anti-Federalists were a political group that opposed the ratification of the Constitution, fearing that a strong central government would threaten individual liberties and state sovereignty. They advocated for a Bill of Rights to protect citizens' freedoms.

What were the Federalists Papers?

The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution and explain its principles.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, guaranteeing individual liberties and limiting government power. It was introduced to address the concerns of Anti-Federalists.

When was the Bill of Rights passed?

The Bill of Rights was passed on September 25, 1789, and ratified on December 15, 1791.

What was the Judiciary Act of 1789?

The Judiciary Act of 1789 established the federal judiciary of the United States, creating a Supreme Court with six justices and lower federal courts. It aimed to provide a framework for the federal court system and define its jurisdiction.

What is the Cabinet?

The Cabinet is a group of senior officials appointed by the President of the United States, typically consisting of the heads of the executive departments, who advise the President on various matters and help implement federal policies.