Chapter 2

Question 1

Contract Theory

Answer 1

Rulers supply laws supporting life, liberty and property, while in
exchange people give loyalty. If not, then rebellion is justified

Question 2

Continental Congress

Answer 2

was the first governing body claiming to speak for all colonies.

• Unicameral with equal voice by state
• Only one governing body (ie no executive)
• Supermajority requirements in voting

Question 3

Popular Tyranny

Answer 3

The unrestrained power of the people via democratic practices.

• Fear of radical policy shifts via public opinion.
• Fear of what debtors would do with their vote.

Question 4

The Articles of Confederation (AoC)

Answer 4

formed the first constitution, or set of

governing rules, used by the United States.

Question 5

Shays’ Rebellion

Answer 5

showed the weakness of the AoC and prompted lawmaker to

create a new governing constitution (ie replace institutional design).

Question 6

Major divisions:

Answer 6

• Big States v Small States
    - Representation in new form of government.
• North v South
    - A question of banning slavery.
• Centralized v Decentralized Government
    - Federalists v Anti Federalists.

Question 7

Features of the AoC

Answer 7

• States retained sovereignty (decentralized)
• The Congress could control the national army
• Each state received one vote in the Congress
• Laws usually needed 9 of 13 states voting in favor of a measure in order to gain passage.
• Large changes required unanimity
• Congress could negotiate bonds and borrow money

Question 8

Problems with the AoC

Answer 8

• No judicial or executive branches
• No power to tax
• No power to regulate interstate trade
• States could overrule national law in many ways
• Unanimity rules made it difficult to pass reforms such as new taxes
• No recourse to punish recalcitrant states
• No exclusive right to coin money
• Had to ask states for operating funds

Question 9

Constitutional Convention

Answer 9

Drafted a new constitution via negotiation between the states and keeping in mind the failures of the AoC.

Question 10

Slavery

Answer 10

3/5th Compromise: Slaves counted in census as 3/5 of a person.
No ban on slavery until 1808 (Article 1 Sec 9)

Question 11

Democracy vs Aristocracy

Answer 11

• Property requirements to vote (Who votes?)
• Electoral college
• No hereditary titles, bills of attainder