US History Chapter 7 Section 1

Separately United State Constitutions Limiting Power Constitution – plan of government 1776 – 8 State Constitutions 1777 – New York and Georgia constitutions 1780 – Massachusetts constitution Connecticut and Rhode Island retain charters Limiting Power Many states limit the governor’s power Bicameral – two-house legislature Elections for legislators White males, 21 or over, owned property, and paid taxes

Republic…an Government Republic – a government in which citizens rule through elected representatives Central Government vs. Independent Countries Articles of Confederation – written by the Second Continental Congress for the purpose of centralized government States retained power, but remained united Government (Congress) conducted foreign affairs, maintained armed forces, borrowed money, and issued currency In order to raise money, Congress had to ask the states No chief executive Each state was equally represented March 13, 1781 – Articles became the government of US

Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer. DFS 7-1

We Have Landed… Petition – to apply to The Ordinance of 1785 New Western land separated into smaller pieces Once the population of an area was larger than the population of the smallest state, they could become a state The Ordinance of 1785 Ordinance – law Land north of the Ohio River was divided into plots and sold at auction for at least a $1 Richard Henry Lee – president of Congress The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Northwest Territory – land north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River Ability for the 3-5 territories to apply for statehood at 60,000 Slavery banned from this area

Mo’ Money; Mo’ Problems Issues: Revolutionary War money was nearly worthless Depreciated – fallen in value Congress could not levy taxes, and it had no gold or silver reserves The War created an enormous debt States contributed little to the Congress Robert Morris – leader of the department of finance Asked for a 5% tax on imported goods After two votes, Congress did not approve the tax

School Bullies Problems with Britain Problems with Spain British troops remained in land owned by US Britain was not trading with the US in the West Indies John Adams – sent to Britain to discuss Britain did not hold its end of the Treaty of Paris, because American was not holding up its end Britain = move out of US area; US = please give Loyalists land back Problems with Spain Spain closed the lower Mississippi River for trade John Jay – American secretary of foreign affairs Diplomats reached an agreement with Spain, but Congress did not approve because Southern states “First President” – John Hanson Under the articles of Confederation Presided over the Congress – Technically, Speaker of the House

Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answers. Checking for Understanding Define Match the terms on the right with their definitions on the left. __ 1. a government in which citizens rule through elected representatives __ 2. a law or regulation __ 3. consisting of two houses, or chambers, especially in a legislature __ 4. a formal request __ 5. a formal plan of government C E B D A A. constitution B. bicameral C. republic D. petition E. ordinance Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answers. Section 1-31