Unit 3

Question 1

The Continental Congress created this plan for the whole nation. Congress could make laws, declare war, coin or borrow money, and run a postal service. However, Congress could NOT regulate trade, collect taxes, or enforce a common currency. In addition, there was NO executive branch and no system of national courts under this.

Answer 1

Articles of Confederation

Question 2

Congress had to devise a system for land sales and settlement. Surveyors divided public lands into townships, 6 miles on each side. This would result in a grid of squares. Within each township there would be a grid, 1 mile on each side. These 36 sections would be sold for no less than one dollar an acre.

Answer 2

Land Ordinance of 1785

Question 3

Congress passed this to establish rules for how new territory would be governed. It guaranteed basic rights for settlers and banned slavery there. It set a three-step process for admitting new states. When a territory was just starting to be settled, Congress would appoint a governor, a secretary, and three judges. Once a territory had 5,000 free adult male settlers, it could elect a legislature. When a free population reached 60,000, the territory could ask to become a state. In time, five states-Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin- were carved out of the new land.

Answer 3

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Question 4

An attempt by Tennessee settlers to create a new state out of the Watauga and surrounding settlements. Due to North Carolina’s opposition over losing territory, they were not able to garner enough votes in Congress to be admitted. It is an example of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation requirements for statehood.

Answer 4

Lost State of Franklin

Question 5

The economic depression hit farmers in Massachusetts especially hard. As the crop prices declined, many farmers were unable to pay their taxes. The state government began to seize farms in order to compensate for the tax money owed. This was an uprising in which a group of farmers tried to seize guns from a state warehouse. The rebellion was eventually stopped by the state militia. As a result of this event, our country’s leaders decided it was time to write a new constitution because the Articles of Confederation provided no national army or law enforcement power.

Answer 5

Shay’s Rebellion

Question 6

A meeting of delegates to revise the Articles of Confederation. By the end of this event, our country had a new Constitution. George Washington was quickly voted the leader and James Madison wrote everything down.

Answer 6

Constitutional Convention

Question 7

Considered the father of the Constitution. He wrote down everything that was said during the constitutional convention and negotiated compromises.

Answer 7

James Madison

Question 8

A combination of the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan. The compromise called for a two house legislature. One house would be based on a state’s population, the other house every state would get an equal number of representatives.

Answer 8

Great Compromise

Question 9

Stated that a state can count 3/5th of their slave population towards the number of delegates they receive in Congress.

Answer 9

3/5th Compromise

Question 10

Outlines the purposes of the government (1) to form a more perfect Union, (2) establish Justice, (3)insure domestic Tranquility, (4)provide for the common defense, (5)promote the general Welfare, and (6)secure the Blessings of Liberty

Answer 10

Preamble of the Constitution

Question 11

Believed in a strong central government. They also believed that the wealthy are most fit to govern the people.

Answer 11

Federalists

Question 12

Were a series of essays written by the leaders of the Federalists (Madison, Hamilton, Jay) arguing for their point of view.

Answer 12

Federalist Papers

Question 13

Advocated for a stronger state government. They also believed everyone had the right to hold office, regardless of how much money they had.

Answer 13

Anti-Federalists

Question 14

Congress must approve the proposed amendment by a 2/3 majority in both houses. Then ¾ of the states must ratify or approve the amendment for it to go into effect.

Answer 14

Amend the Constitution

Question 15

The balancing of power between the states and the central government. Congress and the Constitution typically try to manage this by implementing various laws and amendments.

Answer 15

Federalism

Question 16

Began when the anti-federalists agreed to approve the Constitution if the Federalists agreed to add a Bill of Rights. 9 out of the 13 states also had to vote to change the Constitution.

Answer 16

Ratification of the Constitution

Question 17

A system created and used by the United States government in order to ensure one branch of government did not have more power than another branch of government.

Answer 17

Checks and Balances

Question 18

Ensures that the three branches of government have distinct authority over various government functions. The Legislative branch creates the laws, the Executive branch enforces the laws, the Judicial branch interprets the laws.

Answer 18

Separation of Powers

Question 19

The first 10 amendments in the Constitution.
-The first amendment says freedom of speech, religion, press, and assembly.
-The second says you have the right to bear arms.
-The third amendment says the government cannot force you to quarter troops.
-The fourth says that U.S. citizens are protected from unreasonable searches of a person’s property.
-The fifth says you have the right to due process or double jeopardy.
-The sixth amendment says you have the right to a fair trial.
-The seventh amendment says you have the right to a trial by jury.
-The eighth amendment says no cruel or unusual punishment
-The ninth amendment says power to the people
-The tenth gives power to the states.

Answer 19

Bill of Rights