Unit 3 ACA US History notes/flashcards/study guide

When did the Grand Federal Procession occur?

It occurred on July 4th, 1788.

What was the Grand Federal Procession?

It was a celebration in Philadelphia for the new national constitution.

What was the reason for the Grand Federal Procession?

It celebrated the new national constitution.

When was George Washington sworn into office for his inauguration?

He was sworn into office in April 1789.

Where was George Washington sworn into office for his inauguration?

He was sworn into office in New York.

What was the significance of new government celebrations?

They symbolized national unity and cooperation.

What was the purpose of new government celebrations?

They expressed hope for a stable, prosperous, and diverse United States.

When was the Constitution announced in effect?

The Constitution was announced in effect on July 2, 1788.

When was the Bill of Rights ratified?

The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791.

Who is widely considered the "Father of the Constitution"?

James Madison is widely considered the "Father of the Constitution."

What was James Madison's role in the Constitution's drafting and ratification?

He played a pivotal role in its drafting and ratification.

What was James Madison's contribution to the Constitution?

He initiated the Constitutional Convention with his Virginia Plan.

What was Shays's Rebellion (Definition 1)?

It was an uprising of debt-ridden farmers in western Massachusetts.

What was Shays's Rebellion (Definition 2)?

It occurred from 1786-1787, protesting foreclosures.

What was the outcome of Shays's Rebellion?

The state militia suppressed the rebellion.

What was the significance of Shays's Rebellion?

It exposed critical weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

How did Shays's Rebellion call for action?

It underscored the need for a stronger federal government.

What was Daniel Shays's background?

He was a captain in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.

What was Daniel Shays's leadership role?

He led Shays's Rebellion of debt-ridden farmers.

Who were Daniel Shays's followers?

Daniel Shays's followers were known as the "Shaysites."

Who was the Massachusetts Governor during Shays's Rebellion?

James Bowdoin was the governor during Shays's Rebellion.

What was James Bowdoin's view of the Shaysites?

He viewed Shaysites as rebels seeking to disrupt the government.

What was James Bowdoin's response to Shays's Rebellion (Part 1)?

He called up thousands of militiamen led by General Benjamin Lincoln.

What was James Bowdoin's response to Shays's Rebellion (Part 2)?

Lincoln's militia arrested over a thousand Shaysites in January 1787.

When did Shays's Rebellion occur?

Shays's Rebellion occurred in 1786 and 1787.

What charges did Daniel Shays face?

Daniel Shays and other leaders were indicted for treason.

What was the outcome for the Shaysites?

Many were sentenced to death, but Shays and most followers received pardons.

What was the Anti-Federalist view on Shays's Rebellion?

Some, like Thomas Jefferson, saw it as beneficial to keep the country free.

What was the Federalist concern regarding Shays's Rebellion?

Federalists viewed it as critical evidence of need for a strong central government.

What was the Federalist fear regarding Shays's Rebellion?

They feared the nation was sliding toward anarchy and states couldn't maintain control.

How many delegates attended the Constitutional Convention?

Delegates from twelve of the thirteen states met.

Which state was unrepresented at the Constitutional Convention?

Rhode Island declined to send a representative to the Constitutional Convention.

Where did the Constitutional Convention take place?

The Constitutional Convention took place at the Pennsylvania state house in Philadelphia.

What was the initial purpose of the Constitutional Convention?

It initially convened to revise the Articles of Confederation.

What was the primary problem the Constitutional Convention aimed to solve?

It aimed to solve the federal government's inability to levy taxes.

What was James Madison's goal for the Constitutional Convention?

James Madison intended to produce a completely new national constitution.

What was the problem with the Articles of Confederation regarding tax weakness?

The federal government was unable to levy taxes.

What was the problem with the Articles of Confederation regarding revenue?

This meant it could not raise revenue effectively.

What was the problem with the Articles of Confederation regarding debt?

Revolutionary War debt remained primarily on the states.

What was the economic impact of the Articles of Confederation's problems?

This state debt significantly harmed the economy.

What was the problem with the Articles of Confederation regarding national unity?

The Articles did little to create a cohesive nation, leading to internal conflicts.

What was James Madison's research prior to the Constitutional Convention (Part 1)?

He researched the history of government in the United States.

What was James Madison's research prior to the Constitutional Convention (Part 2)?

He researched the history of republics around the world.

What served as the foundation of the Virginia Plan?

This research served as the foundation for his Virginia Plan.

What was the Virginia Plan's proposal?

Proposed by James Madison, it called for a strong federal government.

What branches of government did the Virginia Plan include?

It included legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

What type of legislature did the Virginia Plan propose?

It proposed a bicameral legislative branch.

What was the basis for representation in the Virginia Plan?

Representation would be based on population or tax base.

What veto power did the Virginia Plan propose for the national legislature?

The national legislature would have veto power over state laws.

Who proposed the New Jersey Plan?

The New Jersey Plan was proposed by William Paterson.

What structure did the New Jersey Plan suggest for Congress?

It suggested maintaining each state having a single vote in Congress.

What was Roger Sherman's proposal regarding Congress appointment?

He argued members of Congress should be appointed by state legislatures.

What was Roger Sherman's influence on congressional representation?

He proposed a compromise for congressional representation, influencing the Great Compromise.

Which states preferred the Virginia Plan?

Large states like Virginia and Pennsylvania preferred the Virginia Plan.

What was the reason for preferring the Virginia Plan?

It based representation on population, giving them more power.

Which states preferred the New Jersey Plan?

Smaller states like New Jersey preferred the New Jersey Plan.

What was the reason for preferring the New Jersey Plan?

It maintained equal representation for all states.

What was the purpose of the Great Compromise?

Proposed by Roger Sherman, it resolved disputes over congressional representation.

What legislature structure did the Great Compromise establish?

It established a bicameral legislature consisting of two houses.

How is representation in the House of Representatives determined according to the Great Compromise?

Representation in the House is based on each state's population.

How is representation in the Senate determined according to the Great Compromise?

Each state would have equal representation with two senators in the Senate.

What was one reason for the debate on the executive branch (Part 1)?

The idea of a single executive raised fears of an elected monarchy so soon after independence.

What was another reason for the debate on the executive branch (Part 2)?

Delegates struggled with how to select officeholders and prevent corruption.

What was the executive branch decision regarding its leader?

National executive power would reside in a single person, known as the president.

How would the president be elected according to the executive branch decision?

The president would be elected by a special electoral college.

What was controversial about James Wilson's proposal for the executive?

His proposal for a single executive was extremely controversial only four years after the American Revolution.

What was the reason for the executive controversy?

Delegates were wary of structured power resembling royalty.

What was the first Federalist argument for the rejection of the Bill of Rights?

Federalists argued that including a Bill of Rights was redundant.

What was the second Federalist argument for the rejection of the Bill of Rights?

They believed listing rights could imply unlisted rights were not protected.

What were the most famous writings on the Constitution?

The Federalist Papers were the most famous examples of citizens' published feelings on the Constitution.

Who was a key author of the Federalist Papers (Hamilton)?

Alexander Hamilton was a key author of the Federalist Papers.

Who was a key author of the Federalist Papers (Jay)?

John Jay was a key author of the Federalist Papers.

Who was a key author of the Federalist Papers (Madison)?

James Madison was a key author of the Federalist Papers.

What was the purpose of the Federalist Papers?

These essays advocated for the ratification of the Constitution.

When and where did the first crucial vote on the Constitution commence?

The first crucial vote on the Constitution occurred in early 1788 in Massachusetts.

What was the initial voting outlook on the Constitution in Massachusetts?

Anti-Federalists probably had the upper hand at the Massachusetts ratifying convention.

Where and when was the Virginia Convention held?

The most high-profile convention was held in Richmond, Virginia, in June 1788.

Who were the debaters at the Virginia Convention?

Federalists (Madison, Randolph, Marshall) debated Anti-Federalists (Henry, Mason).

What was the outcome of the Virginia Convention?

Virginia voted 89 to 79 in favor of ratification after nearly a month of debate.

What was the significance of Virginia's ratification regarding population?

Virginia was America's most populous state.

What was the significance of Virginia's ratification regarding leadership?

It produced several of the country's most prominent leaders.

What was the significance of Virginia's ratification for government success?

The new federal government's success depended largely on its cooperation.

What was the significance of July 2, 1788?

Congress announced that a majority of states had ratified the Constitution, putting it into effect.

Which states ratified after July 2, 1788?

North Carolina, New York, and Rhode Island had not yet completed their ratification.

What was the first significance of Washington's Presidency?

George Washington's election cemented the Constitution’s authority by 1789.

What was the second significance of Washington's Presidency?

His presidency signified the peaceful establishment of the new federal government.

What did Washington's Presidency demonstrate regarding power transfer?

His presidency showed a peaceful transfer of executive power was possible.

What was the outcome of constitutional debates in 1791?

Continued debates led to the addition of Ten Amendments, the Bill of Rights, in 1791.

What was James Madison's role regarding the Bill of Rights?

James Madison supported these amendments as an act of political compromise and necessity.

Did James Madison initially support the addition of the Bill of Rights?

James Madison, against his original wishes, supported the addition of the Bill of Rights.

Why did James Madison support the addition of the Bill of Rights?

He had won election promising his Virginia constituents such a list of rights.

What was an omission in the original Bill of Rights regarding women's protections?

The Bill of Rights lacked special protections for women.

What was an omission in the original Bill of Rights regarding women's voice in government?

It did not guarantee women a voice in government.

What was an omission in the original Bill of Rights regarding voting rights restrictions (Part 1)?

Many states restricted voting rights to men.

What was an omission in the original Bill of Rights regarding voting rights and property requirements (Part 2)?

These men usually had to own significant property.

What was an omission in the Bill of Rights regarding slavery?

Slavery continued to exist and was both condoned and protected by the Constitution.

How did the Constitution address slavery generally?

The U.S. Constitution, through various compromises, protected and condoned slavery.

What was the Three-fifths Compromise?

It counted each enslaved individual as three-fifths of a person for representation and tax purposes.

How did the Constitution protect the slave trade?

It included a constitutional provision that protected the foreign slave trade for twenty years.

How were enslaved people counted in the Constitution?

The Constitution counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and direct taxes.