Reason: Ideas About Government

Question 1

How are the elites divided over stronger idea of governments ?

Answer 1

Opponents
- Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts

Change
- James Madison was a powerful advocate envisaging an overall authority to mediate states
- Hamilton was a dedicated advocate for change and stronger federal system

Question 2

What were the existing ideas for a stronger government amongst the elite ?

Answer 2

• met to discuss these ideas in Philadelphia 1787
• many ideas had come from those of French enlightenment particularly Montesquieu and had developed in mass writings between the federalists
• France was influential in the notion as a govenrment being a force for good which contractual governance (agreement between government and people)

Question 3

Why were there suspisicons over a strong executive and what had this caused ?

Answer 3

• colonists feared a strong executive reminding of them of the despotism they had been subjected to to under the crown
• therefore the state legislature had been made stronger than national government
• the balance lay heavily with the states

Question 4

Would these ideas have remained in debating societies if not for economic pressure and social tensions ?

Answer 4

Likely yes- the most important factors were economic pressure and social tensions like Shays rebellion
The other two factors are
- popular demand: limited
- ideas about strong govenrment: only given legitimacy by social tensions and unrest