Download Historical Analysis: Articles of Confederation & Birth of American Constitution and more Quizzes United States History in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 Articles of Confederation DEFINITION 1 1777 - written during the war enacted by the Second Continental Congress only one branch of government - legislative each colony had one vote the Federal government had no power to tax, regulate trade, or enforce decisions (no money, no army) states had all the power over themselves, didn't want to be controlled TERM 2 Problems with the Articles of Confederation DEFINITION 2 Difficult to get laws passed - a unanimous vote is need on big decisions Federal government cannot enforce any laws - (Treaty of Paris was not complied with by states) No power to tax / regulate trade - can't pay war debts or raise an army TERM 3 Shay's Rebellion DEFINITION 3 1786 - Massachusetts Government forecloses on farmers not able to pay taxes. Daniel Shay organizes farmers to occupy local courts, asking time to gather the money to pay taxes. MA troops are farmers and the Federal government has no power or money to raise troops. Other states fear that ideas of revolt will spread. Wealthy citizens of Boston purchase a private army. Demonstrates weaknesses of Articles of Confederation. TERM 4 Northwest Ordinance DEFINITION 4 1787 Strong point of Articles of Confederation Lots of new territory in the west - who gets it? Thomas Jefferson gets the states to agree that Federal Government should be in charge of the new land. Fed. gov. sells land to raise money Must respect Native Americans No slavery above Ohio River 1st restriction on slavery - sets precedent TERM 5 Constitutional Convention DEFINITION 5 May 1787 it is illegal to create a new plan of government meet to "revise" Articles of Confederation TERM 6 Virginia Plan DEFINITION 6 James Madison 3 branches of government - judicial, legislative, executive states represented by population want to give Congress a veto of individual state laws favored by big, wealthy states TERM 7 New Jersey Plan DEFINITION 7 Delaware, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey each state equal representation 3 presidents elected by Congress recognize Federal government authority to tax and regulate trade favored by small states TERM 8 Constitutional Compromise DEFINITION 8 Ben Franklin two houses (bicamaral) - one based on population, one equal for each state 3 branches - legislative, executive, judicial TERM 9 Article I DEFINITION 9 Legislative Branch has the power to tax and regulate trade House of Representative (direct vote) election every 2 years, expect a lot of change Senate (state legislature) 2 representatives per state 6 year terms TERM 10 Article II DEFINITION 10 President chief executive job to enforce laws passed by Congress given a veto - can be overturned by a 2/3 majority in both houses Commander in chief of the armed forces Congress has the power to declare war Electoral College - the people do not directly elect the president, bigger states get more votes Unlimited terms until Franklin Roosevelt
