Key Terms & Concepts
What is federalism?
A system of government where power is divided/shared between a central (national) government and individual state governments.
What was the name of the document that set up the first national government after the Revolutionary War?
The Articles of Confederation.
What law created a structured system for U.S. territories to become states?
The Northwest Ordinance.
Why couldn't the federal government pay off its Revolutionary War debts?
Congress could ask states for taxes, but could not force them to pay.
Who led the rebellion of debt-ridden farmers in Massachusetts?
Daniel Shays (and fellow Revolutionary War veterans/farmers).
What occurs when too much paper money is printed without gold or silver backing, causing prices to rise?
Inflation
Did the Articles of Confederation set up a strong or weak central government?
A weak central government.
How many free inhabitants did a territory need before it could apply for statehood?
60,000
How did individual states printing their own money hurt the national economy?
It prevented a stable economic system and caused severe inflation.
Why were many of the rebelling farmers facing court foreclosures and loss of their farms?
They had not been paid their full war wages and could not pay heavy state property taxes in gold/silver.
What term describes trade, business, or commercial activities carried on between two or more states?
Interstate Commerce
How many branches of government existed under the Articles of Confederation?
Only 1 branch (a unicameral Legislative branch / Congress).
What rule did the Northwest Ordinance establish regarding slavery in the Northwest Territory?
Slavery was completely banned/prohibited.
Which foreign nation closed the Mississippi River to American trade due to federal weakness?
Spain.
Why was the federal government unable to send troops to stop Shays’ Rebellion?
It had no standing national army and could not force state militias to act.
How many branches of government exist in the United States today, and what are they?
3 branches (Legislative, Executive, Judicial).
Name three specific powers granted to the national government under the Articles of Confederation.
Any 3: Declare war, make peace, sign treaties, manage foreign affairs, operate post offices, borrow money, or direct the army/navy.
How did the Northwest Ordinance support public education in new townships?
Each township was set aside specifically to support public schools.
Why was it nearly impossible to correct flaws in or amend the Articles of Confederation?
Amendments required unanimous approval (one state could block a change).
How was Shays' Rebellion ultimately put down?
Wealthy Boston merchants funded a private militia to crush the rebellion.
Under the Articles of Confederation, who held most of the government's power: the states or the national government?
The states.
What critical power regarding troops did the federal government lack under the Articles?
It could ask states for troops, but it could not demand or force states to supply them.
What required form of government did territories need in order to gain approval for statehood?
A republican (republic) form of government (representative government with elected officials).
Which foreign power refused to evacuate its military forts on U.S. soil after the Revolutionary War?
Great Britain.
What major historical event did Shays' Rebellion directly trigger in 1787?
The Constitutional Convention (to replace the Articles of Confederation).