Unit 1

Question 1

What was America’s first constitution? What type of government did it create (both generally and specifically)?

Answer 1

The articles of confederation. The Articles of Confederation created a confederation in the United States. A confederation is a government in which the state government, not national, have dominant power. The leaders of the new nation feared that a strong, centralized government would lead to tyrannical monarchy like the British government.

Question 2

• What were some of the strengths and weaknesses of the government created by the Articles of Confederation?

Answer 2

STRENGTHS 1 To declare war and make peace. 2 To coin and borrow money 3 To detail with foreign countries and sign treaties 4 To operate post offices

WEAKNESSES, states could not vote, needed a 2/3 majority for a law, no national currency, no control on interstate trade

Question 3

What issue was brought about the Annapolis Convention? What was accomplished at this meeting?

Answer 3

the Annapolis Convention was held to discuss some issues of interstate trade. Very few delegates showed up, so this resulted in the calling together of the constitutional convention a bit later

Question 4

• Define completely (who, what, where, why, short/long range results) the term Constitutional Convention.

Answer 4

• James Madison, Ben Franklin, etc
• created a new government after the failed one
• Philadelphia
• articles were not working
• create a country and solve financial problems
• create a strong central government with checks and balances.

Question 5

Who is the “Father of the Constitution”? Why?

Answer 5

James Madison, his ideas are most prominently expressed in the constitution. He came in and created a strong central government.

Question 6

Discuss the government of a separation of power, providing a system of checks and balances created in Philadelphia at the Constitutional Convention.

Answer 6

The government will be divided into 3 branches with specific duties. They system of checks and balances keeps one branch from overpowering another.

Question 7

The Great Compromise

Answer 7

This was a compromise made for the amount of representatives a state received in the senate. Larger states wanted it of be based off of population, and smaller states wanted it to be equal for all states. The compromise was that there would be two houses. The senate would be equal for all states, and the House of Representatives would be based on population.

Question 8

Three-fifths compromise

Answer 8

Slaves were counted as 3fifths of a person

Question 9

Electoral (College) Compromise

Answer 9

a compromise between election of the President by a vote in Congress and election of the President by a popular vote of qualified citizens. People vote for the voters.

Question 10

Slave Trade Compromise.

Answer 10

Congress could not prohibit the slave trade until 1808, but that any imported slaves could be taxed.

Question 11

Who were the Federalists?

Answer 11

The men who favored the strong union and who fought for the adoption of the Constitution by the various states were called Federalists, example: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.

Question 12

Who were the Anti-Federalists?

Answer 12

Members: Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, Anti-Federalism refers to a movement that opposed the creation of a stronger U.S. federal government and which later opposed the ratification of the Constitution of 1788. The previous constitution, called the Articles of Confederation, gave state governments more authority.

Question 13

What were the Federalist Papers?

Answer 13

Papers written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. They contained federalist beliefs and values. They helped persuade the Antifederalists to give in.

Question 14

What is the chief argument presented in Federalist #10 and #51 by James Madison?

Answer 14

10: warned about factions that could pull the states apart. Party’s.
51 explains the checks and balances system .

Question 15

What were the Letters from the Federal Farmer?

Answer 15

These were a series of 2 pamphlets that tried to persuade people in the ways of Anti Federalism. The Federal Farmer made typical Anti-Federalist arguments, claiming that the Constitution would tear down the sovereign states in favor of a consolidated government, and that this end of the federal system would be destructive of American liberties

Question 16

Shay’s Rebellion

Answer 16

Shays’ Rebellion is the name given to a series of protests in 1786 and 1787 by American farmers against state and local enforcement of tax collections and judgments for debt. Was used as an example to persuade people to change the articles.

Question 17

Daniel Shays

Answer 17

Was a farmer/military member who was a famous leader in shays rebellion

Question 18

James Madison

Answer 18

He created the Virginia plan and argued strongly for a strong central government that would unify the country.

Question 19

George Washington,

Answer 19

He was one of the first to recognize the flaws in the articles. He was elected first president by the CC.

Question 20

Roger Sherman

Answer 20

served on the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence, and was also a representative and senator in the new republic. He was the only person to sign all four great state papers of the U.S.: the Continental Association; the Declaration of Independence; the Articles of Confederation, and; the Constitution.

Question 21

The Preamble

Answer 21

It explains what their objective is and their reasons for creating a democratic government where people are free & have a say in how their lives are run.

Question 22

What major domestic and foreign problems faced the leaders of the New Constitutional Government?

Answer 22

• A huge debt remained from the Revolutionary War and paper money issued during the conflict was virtually worthless.
• In violation of the peace treaty of 1783 ending the Revolutionary War, Britain continued to occupy forts in the Old Northwest.
• Spain refused to recognize the new nation’s southern and western boundaries.

Question 23

From what you have learned about the Constitution and the early history of the United States, how can a government build trust and unify a nation?

Answer 23

• provide a structured system of laws.
• protect people’s rights
• protect the nation

Question 24

How did the Judiciary Act of 1789 clarify Article III of the Constitution?

Answer 24

The act states that the government will create a bunch of smaller inferior courts and a system for bringing a case to the Supreme Court. Articles 3 states that the smaller courts are included in the judicial branch.

Question 25

• How did Jefferson’s and Hamilton’s view of government differ?

Answer 25

Hamilton 1. Admired the British aristocracy and believed it should be a model for American Gov. 2. Believed in a strong central Gov. 3. Favored a broad interpretation of the constitution to strengthen central Gov. at expense of state rights. 4. Hamiltonians, under certain circumstances, favored restrictions on speech and the press. 5. Believed at the time that America should break official bonds with France and tie itself closely to Britain. Jefferson Believed in a government more democratic than Britain's. 2. Jefferson wanted to reduce the number of federal office holders. 3. Jefferson favored freedom of the press and speech. 4. Jefferson also had a broad interpretation of the constitution but many times, it was only to favor himself or the situation (the damn hypocrite) 5. Wanted increased states rights and was suspicious of the central Gov. because of probable tyrannical overpowering like England.

Question 26

• What was Alexander Hamilton’s plan and how did the Bank of the United States support his plan?

Answer 26

The paramount problem facing Hamilton was a huge national debt. He proposed that the government assume the entire debt of the federal government and the states. His plan was to retire the old depreciated obligations by borrowing new money from the bank at a lower interest rate.

Question 27

How did the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans positions differ from one another?

Answer 27

On pdf

Question 28

How was the Whiskey Rebellion an opportunity for the federal government to demonstrate its authority?

Answer 28

The government could now actually spin force a law that it establishes unlike in the past. They kept the tax and didn't back down

Question 29

• Why did President Washington issue to Declaration of Neutrality in 1793?

Answer 29

Because of the French Revolution. We had strong pressure from b and f to joint, we don't want war.

Question 30

What was Pinckney’s Treaty of 1795 and why was it important to the United States?

Answer 30

established intentions of friendship between the United States and Spain. It also defined the boundaries of the United States with the Spanish colonies and guaranteed the United States navigation rights on the Mississippi River.

Question 31

Why was John Jay’s treaty with Great Britain in 1794 so controversial? What government position did John Jay hold at the time?

Answer 31

sought to settle outstanding issues between the two countries that had been left unresolved since American independence. The treaty proved unpopular with the American public but did accomplish the goal of maintaining pe

Question 32

What were the Alien Acts? The Sedition Act? Why were they so controversial?

Answer 32

. These laws included new powers to DEPORT foreigners as well as making it harder for new IMMIGRANTS to vote. Previously a new immigrant would have to reside in the United States for five years before becoming eligible to vote, but a new law raised this to 14 years.

Question 33

What was the significance of the election of 1788, 1796, and 1800 (12th Amendment )?

Answer 33

1788 George Washington, first president 1796 John Adams (federalist) 1800 Vice President Thomas Jefferson defeated president John Adams.

Question 34

Discuss the case Marbury v. Madison. Address John Marshall, John Adams, midnight judges, and judicial review in your discussion.

Answer 34

At the end of President John Adams’ term, his Secretary of State failed to deliver documents commissioning William Marbury as Justice of the Peace in the District of Columbia. Once President Thomas Jefferson was sworn in, in order to keep members of the opposing political party from taking office, he told James Madison, his Secretary of State, to not deliver the documents to Marbury. Marbury then sued James Madison asking the Supreme Court to issue a writ requiring him to deliver the documents necessary to officially make Marbury Justice of the Peace. The Marbury v. Madison decision resulted in establishment of the concept of judicial review.

Question 35

What was Jefferson’s reasoning behind the Embargo Act of 1807? What was it so controversial in the northern states?

Answer 35

a general Embargo that made any and all exports from the United States illegal. It was sponsored by President Thomas Jefferson and enacted by Congress. The goal was to force Britain and France to respect American rights during the Napoleonic Wars. They were engaged in a major war; the U.S. wanted to remain neutral and trade with both sides, but neither side wanted the other to have the American supplies. The American goal was to use economic coercion to avoid war, and punish Britain. The north was successful because of its ports, so no le gusta,

Question 36

What was the Bill of Rights (definition and role in the ratification of the Constitution)? What are the personal liberties protected by Amendments 1-8 and what are the limitations placed upon federal power by Amendments 9 and 10?

Answer 36

Individual freedoms from the government(1-8) 9 and 10 are limitations on the federal government.

Question 37

Edmond Genet

Answer 37

The friend ambassador to the United States in the French Revolution

Question 38

Xyz affair

Answer 38

In 1793, France went to war with Great Britain while America remained neutral. Late the following year, the United States and Britain signed the Jay Treaty, which resolved several longstanding issues between those two nations. The French were infuriated by Jay’s Treaty, believing it violated earlier treaties between the United States and France; as a result, they went on to seize a substantial number of American merchant ships.

Question 39

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions—nullification

Answer 39

The resolutions argued that the federal government had no authority to exercise power not specifically delegated to it in the Constitution.

Question 40

Louisiana Purchase

Answer 40

is considered the greatest real estate deal in history. The United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France at a price of $15 million, or approximately four cents an acre. The ratification of the Louisiana Purchase treaty by the Senate on October 20, 1803, doubled the size of the United States and opened up the continent to its westward expansion.

Question 41

Lewis and Clark Expeditions

Answer 41

Two scientists who were commissioned to explore the Louisiana purchase with a Native American guide

Question 42

What were key problems facing our new country (specifically issues with England, France, and Spain)?

Answer 42

A huge debt remained from the Revolutionary War and paper money issued during the conflict was virtually worthless. In violation of the peace treaty of 1783 ending the Revolutionary War, Britain continued to occupy forts in the Old Northwest. Spain refused to recognize the new nation's southern and western boundaries.