1. Chapter 5
Section 1

2. Terms and People
Republic – a government in which the people elect their representatives
Unicameral legislature – lawmaking body with a single house whose representatives are elected by the people
Bicameral legislature – a lawmaking body with two houses, a Senate and a House of Representatives
Articles of Confederation – the original federal constitution drafted by the Continental Congress
John Dickinson – a member of the Continental Congress and leader of the committee that wrote the Articles of Confederation

3. Terms and People Federal – national
Northwest Territory – vast territory north of Ohio and west of Pennsylvania to the Mississippi River, which was key to expanding the republic.
Land Ordinance of 1785 – plan to dispense and distribute public land in the Northwest Territory
Northwest Ordinance of 1787 – plan for governing and creating new state carved out of the Northwest Territory
Shay’s Rebellion – an uprising of armed farmers marching on a federal arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts, in protest against higher taxes.

4. What form of national government did the Patriots create initially
What form of national government did the Patriots create initially? What events revealed that a new government was necessary?
After the Revolutionary War, the Patriots feared entrusting the Congress with too much power. Most authority remained with the states.
But strong state governments and a weak national government led to problems.

5. Congress encouraged the former colonies to create state constitutions
Although state constitutions varied, each provided for a republic where people voted for their representatives.
Patriots disagreed over the design of these republics, especially over how much power to give the common people.

6. Governments
Weak state governments with most of their power in a popularly elected legislature.
Unicameral or one house legislature with either a weak governor or none at all.
A large House of Representatives with small districts so that the people had more control
Democratic Patriots like Thomas Paine wanted more power for common people

7. Conservative Patriots like John Adams feared giving power to the common people. They favored:
A governor with broad powers
A bicameral legislature, with two houses
An upper house or senate made up of wealthy, well-educated gentlemen who would balance a lower house elected by the common people.

8. There was also debate over who should vote
Democratic states like Pennsylvania allowed all male taxpayers over age 21 to vote
Conservative states preserved colonial requirements of property ownership for voting
None gave the vote to women or to slaves
In time, most grew more democratic with the lower house gaining more power.

9. Most new state constitutions guaranteed freedom of religion
Previously, colonies collected taxes for religious institutions
Now, religious freedom and pluralism became the norm
The Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom set the example. It allowed for religious liberty free of state influence.

10. The Articles of Confederation was created by the Continental Congress
The first national constitution created a loose confederation or league of states in 1777
Congress drafted the Articles under John Dickinson of Pennsylvania
Congress’s power was limited to prevent the problems experienced under Britain.

11. With the Articles, government power was limited
Congress implemented and enforced laws
Executive power was shared by committees
Each state had one vote in Congress
Minor issues were passed by a simple majority. Major issues, like declaring war, required 9 states.
Amendments to the Articles required the agreement of all 13 states.

12. Congress had a limited roles
Congress could:
Declare war or conduct foreign policy
Administer relations with Indian nations
Congress could not:
Tax
Regulated commerce between states or states and foreign nations
There was no federal court systems

13. The Articles
Created a method to settle and govern the Northwest Territory

14. The Land Ordinance of 1785
Established a method to distribute public land
Surveyors divided the territory into a N-S and E-W grid to establish hundreds of townships
Each township was subdivided into one square mile (640 acre) squares to sell at $1.00 each.
Many farmers couldn’t afford the $1.00 an acre, and some land speculators got special deals.

15. Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Set up a system to govern territories and create states
Congress established a territorial government and appointed a governor
Once there were 5,000 men, an assembly could be elected. The appointed governor retained veto power.
Settlers were guaranteed freedom of religion, trial by jury, and rights of common law
Once there were 60,000 residents, a territory could apply for statehood
It abandoned the British model of keeping colonies permanently subordinate.

16. The Northwest Ordinance
Barred slavery
Required a republican constitution
Promised settlers basic freedoms
Ignored the rights of Native Americans
Resulted in five new states: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota.

17. European nations did not take the new nation seriously
Britain denied American ships access to the British West Indies and the right to export goods to Britain on American ships
Spain forbade American trade with New Orleans
Britain kept soldiers in frontier forts located in the Northwest Territory

18. Problems The nation’s debt was mounting
The economic depression was deepening as debts, bankruptcies, and foreclosures grew
Shay’s Rebellion demonstrated the Federal government’s weakness
Foreign nations did not respect the United States.