What is the first constitution of the United States?
Articles of Confederation
Why did the United States not keep the Articles of Confederation?
It gave too much power to the states and not enough to the national government.
It did not allow the government to levy taxes, and had no president.
What are some of the major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? (hint - 6 answers)
What is the purpose of the Northwest Ordinance?
-Made slavery illegal in the Northwest Territory
-Set an important land policy by incorporating new western lands as EQUAL STATES
What is the importance of Shays’ Rebellion?
It proved that the Articles of Confederation were too weak to control the nation.
Why were the first two political parties formed?
they formed over differences in how much power the national government should have.
What were the first two political parties?
Anti-Federalists (later called the Democratic Republicans), and Federalists,
Who were the leaders of each of the first two political parties?
Federalists - Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay
Anti-Federalists - George Mason, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson
Who was in favor of ratifying the constitution? Why did they like it?
Federalist
Why did they like the idea of ratifying the constitution?
because they wanted a strong federal government
Who was against the Constitution?
Antifederalists
Why did the antifederalists not like the constitution?
scared it would give too much power to the central govemment, and no protection of the people against the government, so they wanted a Bill or Rights added
What did the Federalists believe or stand for?
What did the Antifederalists believe or stand for?
Who led the Federalists
Led by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay
Who led the Antifederalists
Led by Patrick Henry and
George Mason
Know the major issues of the Philadelphia Convention of 1787:
New Jersey Plan
Virginia Plan
Great Compromise
Three-Fifths Compromise
What was the New Jersey Plan
(small states) wanted the states to have equal representation. Unicameral legislature- meaning one house Each state would have an equal number of representatives.
What was the Virginia Plan?
(LARGE STATES) wanted representation to be based on population size.
Wanted three separate branches of government. - a legislative branch, executive branch, and judicial branch
Wanted Bicameral legislature which means two houses of government
The number of representatives for each state would be based on population
What was the Great Compromise?
Bicameral legislature
In the lower house (House of Representatives), the number of representatives for each state is determined by population.
In the upper house (Senate), each state has an equal number of representatives.
What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?
This allowed states to count three out of every five enslaved person for representation and taxation.
What is the purpose of the Constitution?
To establish the supreme of the land, to list the part of the government controlled by the federal government and state governments
What were The Federalist Papers?
It was a series of 85 letters published in the newspaper to influence vote in favor of ratification.
Who wrote the Federalist papers?
Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay.