Articles of Confederation Flashcards
What did most northern states do before the Constitution was established?
Abolish slavery
What was the Northwest Ordinance?
- Stated that a state was subject to a governor, secretary, and three judges that were chosen by congress.
- When a territory has 5,000 free men, they can choose to have an elected assembly and Congress would name the governor.
- Once a territory had 60,000 free inhabitants, they could draft a Constitution and apply for statehood.
Who brought up the 640 acre plots?
Thomas Jefferson / Congress
How did a territory become a state?
Once a territory had 60,000 free inhabitants, it could apply for statehood.
What two branches of government were combined in the Articles of Confederation?
The legislative and executive branches
What was the United States’ problem with England and Spain?
- Spain and England kept military posts in the U.S.
2. Spain would not let the U.S. use the Mississippi River.
What was Shay’s Rebellion?
- In 1780, Massachusetts had a large war debt and decided to levy a high tax to pay it off. It fell on the farmers and the poor.
- The state would not change it, and Dan Shays would lead a rebellion and go after the Federal Armory.
- Had 1200 men in 1787.
- Proposed to pay using their wheat and corn, but were turned down.
- The state militia breaks up the rebellion, and then the government decides to change it, leading to Conservatism and Nationalism.
Who was at the Constitutional Convention?
Ben Frankiln, James Madison, George Mason, Governor Morris, James Wilson, George Washington, and others.
Why did the Constitutional Convention meet?
To revise the Articles of Confederation.
Who was the political philosopher at the Constitutional Convention?
James Madison
Who wrote the Virginia Plan?
James Madison
What ideas were in the Virginia Plan?
- 3 Branches of government: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.
- True National government - All laws binding citizens and states.
- Under the legislative branch, there would be two houses. THe House of Representatives was the lower house that would be voted on by the people. The Senate, or the Upper House, would be appointed by the state.
Who wrote the New Jersey Plan?
James Patterson
What ideas were expressed in the New Jersey Plan?
- Unicarmel congress - Each state has the same representation in one house.
- Congress would name a plural executive - No veto power.
- Supreme Court - Federal court system.
Which type of states liked each plan?
VA Plan - Larger states
NJ Plan - Smaller States
What two issues fif each plan present?
- Amend the Articles or make a new document
2. How would representation be selected - Fixed or by population.
What was the Great Compromise?
- Proposed by Roger Sherman, making it known as The Connecticut Plan.
- House of Representatives - Based on population and voted on by the people.
- The Senate would have a fixed number of 2 representatives from each state that were appointed by the states.
What could the president NOT do?
- Declare war - that was Congress’s job.
- Make peace
- Could be impeached by Congress
What must the President do?
- veto - 2/3 vote by congress could over turn it
- Commander of the armed forces.
- Execute the laws.
- Negotiate treaties with 1/3 vote of the senate.
- Appoint judges, diplomats, and other officials with a majority vote from the senate
- Must give an annual state of the union address.
What did delegates say Congress must be as part of the Great Compromise?
- A strong and central government.
- Have the ability to tax
- Regulate commerce
- Maintain an army and a navy
- Make laws binding.
What did the Great Compromise say the states could not do?
- Issue money
- Void contracts
- Make treaties
- levy tariffs
- Wage war
What must the Supreme Court have?
A chief Justice
What must the Supreme Court have a majority of?
Justice votes
What does Article 6 f the Constitution state?
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land.
