Chapter 9: The Confederation and the Constitution

The Pursuit of Equality How did the concept of equality affect the American people after the Revolutionary War? What happened to the Anglican church after the Revolutionary War? What state had the most difficult time separating church and state? Who helped solve this problem? How did the war challenge the institute of slavery? How did laws change for freed African Americans? Why didn’t the fight for abolition go further? How were women’s rights affected by the war? Describe the concepts of “civic virtue” and “Republican motherhood” and their significance. Constitution Making in the States In 1776 what did the Continental Congress ask of the colonies? What did Massachusetts do that differed from the other colonies and why was it important? How was the American Constitution different than the British Constitution? What traits did most state Constitutions have in common? What branch received the most power in all the new states’ governments? Why were some capitals moved to the interior of the new states and why is this significant?

Economic Crosscurrents What happened to many loyalist properties after the war? How did land relate to economic democracy? How was manufacturing affected pre, during and post war? How did independence affect other industries (besides manufacturing)? How did trade change after the war? The general economic picture after the war was not rosy. Why? How did the social atmosphere change after the war? A Shaky Start Towards Union How did Americans’ disdain for authority impact the formation of the new government? How did British manufacturers affect American industries? Some people were hopeful regarding a new American government. Why?

Creating a Confederation What powers did the Constitutional Congress actually have? In what ways were the thirteen states sovereign? What was the purpose of the Articles of Confederation? Explain the biggest issue for states in relation to the Articles of Confederation. Maryland held out the longest in ratifying the Articles of Confederation. Why? What did the Continental Congress pledge to do with the western lands? Why were the Western lands significant, especially for the union of all thirteen states? The Articles of Confederation: America’s First Constitution Why do some say the Articles of Confederation provided for a “firm league of friendship”? Describe some of the issues within the Congress. Why was the Congress designed to be weak? What couldn’t the Congress do and what powers did they actually have? How did the Articles of Confederation prove to be a landmark in government?

Landmarks in Land Laws Describe the Land Ordinance of 1785 and its significance. Describe the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 and its significance. How the settlement of the Old Northwest differ than the settlement of the south? How did the settlement of the Old Northwest impact settlements farther west? The World’s Ugly Duckling Describe America’s relationship with Britain after the war? How did Lord Sheffield feel about trade with America? British soldiers remained in outposts along the Northern border. What were the possible reasons that they stayed after the war? Why didn’t Americans impose restrictions on imports with Britain? How did Spain react to the new republic? How did France respond to the new republic? Why were Yankee sailors enslaved in the Mediterranean? How did John Jay feel about the insults from other nations?

A Horrid Specter of Anarchy Why did the states quarrel during the 1780s? Describe Shay’s rebellion and its significance. What was the outcome of Shay’s rebellion? Who supported a stronger central government? Why? Who did not support a stronger central government? Why? What were the chief issues in regards to a stronger central government? A Convention of Demigods What was the main factor that led to the Constitutional Convention? What happened at the Annapolis convention? What was the original purpose of the Constitutional Convention? What state didn’t send a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and why? Describe the sessions of the convention. Why did Jefferson call the delegates of the convention demigods? Describe George Washington’s role in the convention. Describe Benjamin Franklin’s actions during the convention. Why was James Madison considered the “Father of the Constitution”? What did Alexander Hamilton advocate for during the convention? Why were many of the Revolutionary leaders absent and why was this important?

Patriots in Philadelphia Describe the delegates of the convention. What outcomes did the delegates want for the convention? Besides James Madison, who else might be considered a “founding father”? What other motives did the delegates have throughout the convention? Hammering Out a Bundle of Compromises What was “the large-state plan” and why was it significant? What was “the small-state plan” and why was it significant? Describe “the Great Compromise”. Describe the new role of the president. What power did Congress retain in relation to war? What compromises are present in the Constitution? What was the “three fifths compromise”? What decisions about the slave trade were made during the convention?

Safeguards for Conservatism How did the delegates of the convention view economic policy? How did the delegates of the convention view political policy? How did Daniel Shays impact the convention? On what principles of republicanism was the Constitution built? How did the delegates feel about their finished product? The Clash of Federalists and Antifederalists How did the framers of the Constitution change the approval process and why? How did the public respond to the concept of the Constitution? Describe the antifederalists and why they didn’t like the Constitution. Describe the federalists and why they supported the constitution. What issues did the antifederalists have with the Constitution?

The Great Debate in the States What happened in Pennsylvania in relation to ratifying the Constitution? Why was Massachusetts significant in relation to the Constitution? How did the federalists secure ratification in Massachusetts? What states did not ratify the Constitution? The Four Laggard States Why did Virginia finally decide to ratify the Constitution? How did Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison impact ratification in New York? What two states were the last to ratify and why? Why did the last four states finally decide to ratify (even if they didn’t want to )?

A Conservative Triumph How did 11 states cede from the confederation? How might ratification of the Constitution been different if it were submitted to a manhood-suffrage vote? What branches of government represented the people, according to the federalists? Why were checks and balances important?