Confederation to Constitution Study guide
- Why were the Articles of Confederation created?
The Articles were created to provide a functioning government for the United States during the American Revolution.
- How did the Articles prevent the national government from becoming too powerful?
The Articles provided for a “firm league of friendship” among the states with most of the power held by the states and only a few delegated to the national government which had only a legislative branch and no executive or judicial one.
- Why was Shay’s Rebellion significant?
Shay’s rebellion was significant because when the farmers of Massachusetts rebelled due to high taxes, the national could do nothing due to a lack of an army. It was up to the state militia to stop the rebellion, which showed that the national government was ineffective and needed more power.
- What was the original purpose of the Constitutional Conventional?
The original purpose of the Constitutional Convention was to revise the Articles of Confederation.
- What documents influenced the ideas that were incorporated into the Constitution?
The documents that influenced the ideas that were incorporated into the Constitution were the Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, English Bill of Rights, Cato’s Letters, and Common Sense.
- Describe two major plans dealing with the form of the new government.
The two major plans were the Virginia Plan that called for three branches of government and a bicameral legislature based on population of the states. The New Jersey Plan also called for three branches of government, but with a unicameral legislature based on onlyone vote for each state.
- What was the compromise over slavery?
The compromise over slavery involved representation, taxes, and the slave trade. It was agreed that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for both population and taxes. Also finally agreed upon was that Congress could not ban the slave trade until 1808.
- How did the beliefs of the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists differ?
The Federalists and Anti-Federalists differed on support of ratification of the Constitution. Federalists supported ratification and a strong national government. Anti-Federalists did not support ratification and were afraid power was being taken away from the states because of a lack of Bill of Rights did not guarantee the rights of the people.
- Why was a Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?
A Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution because of a promise by Federalists to gain support for ratification. It eased the fears of the Anti-Federalists who stated the Constitution did not protect the rights and freedoms of citizens.
- Why was a Bill of Rights significant?
The Bill of Rights is significant because it guarantees the individual rights and freedoms of citizens of the United States.