Chapter 6: Securing the Constitution and Union (1783-1800) {235-279} | Quizlet

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. constitution that created a weak central government with most powers given to the states.

13 Independent States of America

The original states that acted like separate nations under the Articles, each with its own government and laws.

Articles of Confederation One-House Legislature

Congress had a single chamber where each state had one vote, regardless of population.

Confederation Congress

The national government under the Articles responsible for diplomacy, war, and western lands, but had limited authority.

Articles of Confederation Weaknesses

No power to tax, regulate trade, enforce laws, or raise a standing army; required unanimous consent to amend.

Continentals (Paper Money)

Currency printed during the Revolution that lost almost all its value due to inflation.

Gold and Silver Coins in 1800s

Called "specie"; held real value and were preferred over paper money for trade and taxes.

John Adams

Diplomat and Founding Father who helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris 1783; later became the second U.S. president.

Thomas Jefferson

Author of the Declaration of Independence and advocate for republicanism and westward expansion.

The Newburgh Conspiracy

1783 military plot where officers threatened revolt over unpaid wages, stopped by George Washington's leadership.

Robert Morris

Superintendent of Finance who tried to reform the nation's finances and create a national bank after the Revolution.

Newburgh Location

A town in New York where the Continental Army camped and the Newburgh Conspiracy took place.

Coup d'état Meaning

A sudden and illegal seizure of government power, usually by military force.

Alexander Hamilton

Advocate for a strong central government and national bank; later co-wrote The Federalist Papers.

Republicanism

Political belief that power comes from the people and government should protect liberty through elected representatives.

America Westward Expansion

Movement of settlers westward after independence, driven by land hunger and new policies for western territories.

Treaty of Paris 1783

Officially ended the Revolutionary War; recognized U.S. independence and set national borders.

Public Domain

Land owned collectively by the federal government, especially western territories before settlement.

Emigration

Leaving one's home country or region to settle elsewhere.

Three Major Ordinances (Policies)

Land Ordinance of 1784, Land Ordinance of 1785, and Northwest Ordinance of 1787; organized western lands.

Land Ordinance of 1784 and 1785

1784 outlined steps for creating new states; 1785 created a survey system to divide and sell land.

Northwest Territory

Region north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River; later became several Midwestern states.

What Happened to Indigenous Land

Native land was taken or sold without consent; tribes were displaced westward.

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Established rules for governing and admitting new states; banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.

Coequal States

Principle that new states would enter the Union on equal footing with the original 13.

Territorial Legislature

Elected body that governed a U.S. territory before it achieved statehood.

Spain Closed River to Americans Outcome

Western farmers lost access to the Mississippi River for trade, causing tension with Spain.

Spanish Regain Florida and Alabama

Spain regained control after the Revolution, increasing border tensions with the U.S.

British Closed Caribbean Colonies to American Commerce Effects

Hurt American trade and caused economic depression and resentment toward Britain.

Tonnage Fees

Taxes based on the weight or tonnage of ships, used to protect domestic shipping.

Tariffs

Taxes on imported goods designed to raise revenue and protect American industries.

Commercial War

Trade disputes and economic competition between the U.S. and Britain after independence.

Only Three Banks (Phili, NYC, and Boston)

Limited banking system made credit scarce and hurt postwar economic recovery.

Banks Issues

Lack of national regulation, limited credit, and distrust of paper currency.

Hard Money

Coins made of precious metals, preferred for stability and trustworthiness.

Shays' Rebellion Cause

Massachusetts farmers revolted against high taxes, debt, and property foreclosures.

Shays' Rebellion Where

Western Massachusetts (1786-1787).

Shays' Rebellion Outcome

Rebellion was crushed; highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles and inspired calls for a stronger federal government.

Regulators

Armed farmers and protestors demanding economic relief and reform during Shays' Rebellion.

Daniel Shays

Revolutionary War veteran who led the rebellion against economic injustices.

Abigail Adams

Advocate for women's rights; wife of John Adams who corresponded about politics and the Revolution.

James Madison

"Father of the Constitution"; pushed for replacing the Articles of Confederation with a stronger national framework.

Grassroots Rebellions

Local uprisings driven by ordinary citizens demanding economic or political change.

The Constitutional Convention When

Held from May to September 1787.

The Constitutional Convention Cause

Created to fix the weak Articles of Confederation after issues like Shays' Rebellion and economic instability.

The Constitutional Convention What

A meeting where delegates drafted a new U.S. Constitution to form a stronger central government.

The Constitutional Convention Where

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Independence Hall.

Founding Fathers

Leaders like George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin who shaped the U.S. Constitution.

Revolutionary War

1775-1783 conflict where American colonies won independence from Britain.

Drafting of the Constitution When Where Why

1787, Philadelphia; to replace the failing Articles and unite the states under one national government.

Drafting of the Constitution What

The creation of the framework for the U.S. government with checks and balances.

Drafting of the Constitution Outcome

The U.S. Constitution was written and later ratified in 1788, establishing the federal system.

Guiding Assumptions

Belief in limited government, separation of powers, and popular sovereignty.

Beginning of the Constitution Quote

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union..."

Federalism

Division of power between the national and state governments.

Where Was the National Money Going Towards?

Paying off war debts, maintaining defense, and supporting national interests.

The Virginia Plan Who When Why

Proposed by James Madison in 1787 to create a strong national government with proportional representation.

Virginia Plan What and Outcome

Called for representation based on population; led to the Great Compromise.

Virginia Plan 3 Branches of Gov

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

Bicameral Congress

A two-house legislature: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

House of Representatives (HOR)

Lower house of Congress; representation based on population.

Senate

Upper house of Congress; each state has two senators for equal representation.

Veto Laws

The president's power to reject bills passed by Congress.

Small States Skeptical of Virginia Plan

Feared larger states would dominate government decisions.

New Jersey Plan

Proposed equal representation for all states regardless of size; favored by small states.

Unicameral

Single-chamber legislature.

Great Compromise

Combined Virginia and New Jersey Plans; created a bicameral Congress with population and equal representation.

Roger Sherman

Proposed the Great Compromise.

HOR vs. Senate

House based on population; Senate gives equal representation to all states.

The Legislature (Congress) Separation of Powers

Divides lawmaking from executive and judicial functions to prevent tyranny.

HOR Election Years

Members elected every two years.

John Adams View on Senate

Saw it as a stabilizing force against rapid public change.

The Executive (President)

Enforces laws and leads the nation's government.

Requirements to Become President

Must be at least 35, a natural-born U.S. citizen, and resident for 14 years.

President Term

Four years per term.

President Role with Congress

Can propose laws, veto bills, and work with Congress on national policy.

President Powers Limited

Checked by Congress and the Supreme Court through separation of powers.

Impeachment from HOR

The House can accuse (impeach) a president or federal official of wrongdoing.

2/3 of Senate Vote For?

Required to convict and remove an impeached official from office.

The Electoral College

System where electors formally choose the president and vice president.

Electoral College Election Rules

Each state gets electors equal to its congressional representation; candidate needs majority to win.

The Judiciary

Branch that interprets laws and ensures they follow the Constitution.

Supreme National Court

The highest court in the U.S., established by the Constitution.

Judicial Branch Powers

Review laws, settle disputes, and declare acts unconstitutional (judicial review).

Article VI of Constitution

Declares the Constitution the "supreme Law of the Land."

Limits of Constitution for White Males

Only white male property owners had full political rights initially.

Indigenous Exclusion from Constitution

Native peoples were not counted as citizens and excluded from representation.

Commerce Clause Article 1 Section 8

Gave Congress power to regulate trade between states and with foreign nations.

Free vs. Slave States Line

Early political division between states that allowed slavery and those that banned it.

Emancipation

The process of freeing enslaved people.

1780 Clause "All Men Are Born Free and Equal"

Massachusetts constitution clause that inspired legal challenges to slavery.

Quock Walker and Elizabeth Freeman

Enslaved people who sued for freedom in Massachusetts using the 1780 equality clause.

Mum Bett (Other Name)

Elizabeth Freeman's original name before winning her freedom.

Brom and Bett v. Ashley Outcome

Massachusetts court ruled slavery violated the state constitution, ending slavery there.

Constitution Regarding Slaves

Allowed slavery to continue and included the Three-Fifths and Fugitive Slave Clauses.

Three-Fifths Compromise Cause

Debate over how enslaved people should be counted for taxation and representation.

Three-Fifths Compromise What

Counted each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person.

Three-Fifths Compromise Who

Proposed by James Wilson and Roger Sherman.

Fugitive Slave Clause

Required escaped enslaved people to be returned to their enslavers, even in free states.

Fugitive Slave Act

Later enforced the clause more harshly by punishing those who helped escapees.