Vocabulary Definitions
Define "constitution"
A written document that describes the structures and powers of a national or state government
What was the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?
To create a government for the NW Territory and to create a path to establish statehood (make new states in the west)
Name one weakness the Articles of Confederation had when talking about the states'
Currency, trade, taxes, laws, and ammendments
Explain the impact of different characteristics of government under the Articles of Confederation.
The Continental Congress instructed each state to construct its own constitution.
Who was Daniel Shays?
A Massachusetts farmer and war veteran
Define "Articles of Confederation"
The first written plan of government for the United States
What did the Land Ordinance of 1785 do?
Provided for a complete survey of the NW territory; divided the land into 36 sq. mi plots to be bought as "townships"; allowed the country to collect income and for individual or families to run farms; also set aside one plot of land in each township for a school to be built
Describe the weakness of the Articles of Confederation when talking about the states that has to do with taxes
Congress had no power to collect taxes- this created problems because the United states had a lot of money owed to foreign countries; when Congress sent letters requesting payment, the states often ignored it because their was no enforcement or right to collect taxes when it came to the government
How did a new nation begin to govern itself?
They established governments based on popular sovereignty, limited power of elected officials, protected the natural rights’ of citizens-free speech, freedom of religion and free press. Embraced representative government with 2 legislative branches- *created the framework for the constitution.
Where did Shays Rebellion take place?
Massachusetts
Define "bill of rights"
A written list of peoples' rights'
How many men did it take to have in a territory before it could write its' own constitution?
5,000
Describe the weakness of the A. of C. when talking about passing laws... how many states needed to agree to pass a law?
congress could not create new laws unless 9 states of the original 13 - or 2/3 had to agree to pass any laws- this was extremely difficult to get 9 states to agree to any new laws.
How did our countries’ founders limit the government's power?
designed a weak Confederation Congress, individual states remained self-governing,each state had equal votes, each state collected their own taxes, congress had no power to raise an army or govern trade, no president and no federal courts
What was the militia's goal during Shays' Rebellion
To capture the federal arsenal
What was the "Confederation Congress"
Second Continental Congress was replaced by the Confederation Congress; legislative branch of govt. established by the A. of C. ;The Congress had the power to declare war, sign treaties, and settle disputes between the states. It could also borrow or print money.
How many men did it take to have in a territory before it could apply for statehood? (to become a state)
60,000
Name one problem the United States had between them and the country of Great Britain that showed the weaknesses of the A. of C.
2. British restricted imports to U.S. and stopped Columbian sugar colonies from trade with U.S.-wrecking their economy
3. U.S. government had no power to make trade agreement with Britain because they could not promise 9 states would pass it.
What happened during Shays' Rebellion (the events that took place) ?
Daniel Shays gathered a militia to capture the federal arsenal in protest of the courts foreclosures du to unfair tax hikes in the state of Massachusetts; his militia was met and shut down the uprising; Shays escaped to Vermont
What was the "Northwest Territory"
Established by the Continental Congress under the Land Ordinance; The territory included the land that would become the states of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and part of Minnesota. These lands had been given to the U.S. government by the states that first laid claim to them: Virginia, Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut. (Western lands north of the Ohio River*)
Name two important laws made under the Articles of Confederation
Land Ordinance of 1785 and Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Name one problem that the United States had with their relationship with the country of Spain that showed the weaknesses in the A. of C.
1. Spain still held Florida and land west of Miss. River
2. Spain did not recognize U.S. land claims
3. Cut off US merchants and farmers from using Miss. River for trade/commerce
4. Congress could not settle on the issue of Miss. River being given to Spain or not- and they could not call together an army (congress did not have power to raise an army)
What was the importance of Shays' Rebellion?
It brought light to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the state of the country as a whole- farmers and people losing their homes and livelihood to foreclosures because of unfair taxes.