The Constitution Flashcards
Loyalists (Tories)
Supporters of England
Most move to Canada, Bahamas or are imprisoned
Anti-Slavery Movement
Several states begin passing anti-slavery laws mostly northern states
Kentucky and Tennessee only southern states bc they were expanded states of Virginia and N. Carolina
Pennsylvania was first bc of Quakers
New York & New Jersey were the last
Age of Revolution
After the success of the American Revolution many countries citizens began to think like the Americans and began to start revolutions of their own
1789 French Revolution
-lasted until Napoleon took power in 1799
1791 Haitian Revolution
- slaves revolted and attracted 100,000 rebels
- Toussaint-Louverture led the rebellion over the French and gained independence shortly after his death in 1804
1821 Mexican independence
1822 Brazil
Articles of Confederation
1777 basic laws were established but didn’t become official until 1781 bc all states had to ratify(agree)
Congress could print money, declare war & send delegates to foreign countries. Not much power can’t draft soldiers, tax citizens, regulate trade
Individual States had the most power. Could print their own money (some states didn’t honor other states money), regulate their own trade (states could regulate trade state by state or foreign countries e.g. southern states could trade with the islands for slaves or could ban tobacco from Virginia)
Northwest Territory/NW Ordinance
As states began to expand westward certain colonies could come together and form a new state if they exceed a population of 60,000
They must abide by certain laws
- guarantee freedom of religion
- no slavery
- right to trial by jury
This increases enlightenment into the need for better land surveying methods in order to accurately measure state boundaries
Post War Depression
Paper money not backed by anything Lots of money was borrowed War veterans need to be paid Govt. bonds need to be paid States trying to rebuild treasury but citizens can't afford to pay taxes
Shay’s Rebellion
Massachusetts
Demand debt be cleared
Want Capitol moved from Boston west
Rebellion unsuccessful but Govt. realizes major economic issues
Annapolis Convention
Alexander Hamilton and James Madison want to amend the Articles of Confederation
Committee of State Leaders meet in 1786 to brainstorm how to fix issues
Constitutional Convention
55 men from 12 of the 13 States meet in 1787 in Philly
These are the Founding Fathers
Elect George Washington as president of the convention
Vote per state on laws they don’t agree on
Held behind closed doors
Basically give up on amending the Articles of Confederation and start fresh
Agree on 3 branches of Govt.
-Legislative
-Executive
-Judicial
Virginia Plan
James Madison proposed this plan 2 houses of legislature -lower half by people's vote -lower half elects upper house Larger states like this idea due to their populations
New Jersey Plan
William Patterson proposed this plan
One house
All states are equal
Smaller states want to have equal voting power
The Great Compromise
Lower Half by population elected by voters
Upper Half represents the state with 2 senators
Checks and Balances
Each branch of the Govt. has checks on the others to keep the power balanced
3/5ths compromise
-Over slave states wanting slaves to count towards their population, 3/5ths of the slaves count towards population
Ratification
Congress approves the present constitution
9 out of 13 states need to ratify for approval
Delaware is first, New Hampshire is 9th
Federalist Papers
Federalists want all states to approve and the Anti-Federalists are weary that their states and people will lose power
Alexander Hamilton and John Jay write Federalist Papers
A promise that they will amend the constitution in order to preserve rights for citizens
