AOC / Constitution
What was Shays Rebellion and its significance?
ln Shays’ Rebellion, Massachusetts farmers, faced with high taxes, eviction, and imprisonment for debt, attacked the Springfield arsenal.
The rebellion was eventually put down by the MA state militia
Made clear the need for a stronger central government capable of protecting democratic institutions and responding to national emergencies
What were the goals of the British?
Make money = The first colony of Jamestown (joint stock company) looking for gold, cash crops (tobacco)
Seeking better living conditions = many cities were overcrowded with few opportunities to make a living. They tried to increase their social standings
Religious freedom (British only) = making a pure colony that was better/less corrupt than the Church of England (not tolerant with “other” forms)
What form of government is the Articles of Confederation and why did the founders choose to create a weak form of government.
The AOC was a confederate system. They created a weak government because they feared a strong central government like Britain’s.
What were the early problems, with successful or unsuccessful colonies?
Roanoke colony disappeared in 1590
Jamestown = is full of disease, and starving people (1610), → focused on finding gold over growing crops and building shelters (the joint stock company funded this even though there was no gold). They also got into a war with the Native Americans. Because of the climate and surroundings, malaria was common among the people. However, they started to grow tobacco, instead of growing food.
Successful colonies would be the New England, Middle, Chesapeake, and Southern colonies, each had their specialty which helped their colonies thrive, such as using their surroundings and climate to the best of their ability, to make a profit.
What was the differences between the federalists and the anti-federalists views on the constitution
Federalist
Supported the Constitution and a strong central government
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay
Federalist Papers – series of articles written in defense of the Constitution
Anti Federalists
Supported a weaker central government – felt too much power was taken away from the states
Opposed the Constitution
Wanted a Bill of Rights included to protect people
Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry
What is mercantilism?
“The government should regulate economic activity to promote national power.”
Set up colonies to make money from Europe = goal to bring in more money by forcing colonies to buy from them to make money from resources.
What was the purpose of the Bill of Rights
Created to protect the civil liberties of American citizens and prevent the government from abusing power.
Protect rights not explicitly listed in the constitution
What are the Navigation Acts?
The British passed a series of laws designed to protect Britain in trade from other colonies such as the Dutch navy. (created an even balance of trade with Europe)
Only traded with Britain ships = No Dutch ships in the harbors of Boston, Philly, NY, Charleston, etc, (their good could only come from British ships, and would be more expensive (tax)). This increased the shipbuilding industry. It also helped the colonial farmers, because it forced people to buy British goods.
What are the Virginia slave codes?
They were state laws that determined the status of those enslaved and their rights. In total, there were little to no legal difference between those who were enslaved or a servant. Because of this, when the number of enslaved people grew, legal definition and separation occurred, causing for an increase of race in the slave system (more controlled than indenutred servants).