Chapter 9: The Confederation and the Constitution

1. Chapter 9: The Confederation and the Constitution 1776-1790

2. 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?

3. 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?

4. 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?

5. 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?

6. 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?

7. 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?

8. 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?

9. 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 )?

10. 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?