Midterm Review - Unit 3 Flashcards
(29 cards)
What were the Articles of Confederation?
A document demonstrating the framework for the first federal government which passed two laws but was eventually disbanded for cultural flaws
The Articles served as the first constitution of the United States.
What is another word for the national government?
Federal government & Central
These terms are often used interchangeably to refer to the governing authority at the national level.
What does ratification mean?
To reform or change something, usually an institution, an approval
Ratification is the formal confirmation or adoption of legal agreements or amendments.
What two important events occurred after the Articles of Confederation was ratified?
The last two years of the Revolutionary War and the Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris formally ended the Revolutionary War in 1783.
Who had more authority during the Confederation era: federal government or states?
States
The Articles heavily favored state sovereignty over federal authority.
List the four powers of the national government under the Articles.
- Declare war on other countries
- Sign peace treaties with other countries
- Coin and borrow money
- Operate post offices
These powers were limited and did not include taxation or regulation of commerce.
What was the Articles of Confederation’s greatest weakness?
It gave the states sovereignty, making the USA function like 13 separate nations instead of one
This decentralization led to inefficiencies and conflicts among states.
What does sovereignty mean?
Absolute power or control
Sovereignty is the authority of a state to govern itself or another state.
Was there a United States army during the Confederation era?
No
Congress would request states to send men for military service when needed.
Could the national government tax its citizens?
No
The national government relied on voluntary contributions from the states.
What could the Confederation Congress do if it needed tax money?
Congress would request tax money from the states
This led to financial instability and difficulty in funding government operations.
If one state argued with another state, could the national government settle the problem?
No federal courts
This lack of a judicial system led to unresolved disputes between states.
When it came to foreign trade, what could each state do?
Whatever they wanted, each state had their own laws
This led to inconsistent trade practices and regulations among states.
Interstate commerce is trade ______ between ______ states and the Confederation Congress ______ regulate it.
between
states
could not
The inability to regulate interstate commerce created economic challenges.
Was there a chief executive?
No
The absence of a chief executive made it difficult to enforce laws.
Was there a national court system?
No
This absence meant the federal government could not enforce its laws or settle disputes between states.
When it came to money, what were the states allowed to do?
Coin and print their own money
This led to confusion and complications in trade between states due to different currencies.
What types of problems might the ability to coin and print money cause?
Trading between states would have no way of profit without common currency
The lack of a standardized currency made commerce difficult and inefficient.
What economic problems did the new nation face?
Economic credibility issues due to a debt of $42 million, primarily owed to its own citizens.
This debt situation created significant challenges for the new government in establishing financial stability.
What was the purpose of the Land Ordinance of 1785?
To create an orderly pattern of American western growth, ban slavery in the territory, and set a population requirement for statehood.
It established guidelines for the development of the Northwest Territory.
What territory was created by the Northwest Ordinance?
The Northwest Territory.
This territory included areas that would become several Midwestern states.
What were the boundaries of the Northwest Territory?
Boundaries included:
* Great Lakes to the north
* Appalachians to the east
* Ohio River to the south
* Mississippi River to the west.
This geographical delineation played a key role in the expansion of the United States.
How did the Northwest Ordinance affect the future growth of the nation?
Set rules for territories becoming states and banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.
This ordinance laid the foundation for orderly westward expansion.
How many people would need to live in a territory before they could apply to be a state?
60,000.
This population threshold was crucial for territories seeking statehood.
