Unit Two Essay Questions
4. To what extent was the Constitution a radical departure from the Articles of Confederation?
To a great extent
Constitution -Articles
Economiccouldn't pay off debts
no power to tax
[Executor (his pover/bicameral system)
-Great Compromise
-VA?KY Resolutions
-3/5th compromise representation][to political]
Handlow's Plan
-assure State Debts
Prict curring (contionditions) – war bonds
Whisky Rebellion / Political
State's Rights
Shay's Rebellion (with to hx)
Checks-and-balances / Social / Culture
Bill of Rights
[nonimportation (ax new styles) to Economic]
slavery / Women dx cx
outlawed in the West
Philosophical bx ? Locke
By the time of the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention, it was well-known that although the Articles of Confederation succeeded in unifying the independent colonies after the maelstrom of the American Revolution, the unification was not a strong one, nor was the Articles of Confederation adequately suited to govern the newly-independent nation that was philosophically different from other European nations. In effect, the constitutional Convention not merely revised the Articles, but rather rewrote the Constitution that was radically and to a great extent different from the Articles in the realms of not only political and economic significance, but also in those of social and cultural.
Excellent introduction
Without a doubt, the most radically different ideals of the Constitution, as compared to those of the Articles of Confederation, were those pertaining to the structure and power of the government. The Articles of Confederation, ratified slightly after the success of the American Revolution, provided for only a weak central government that had next to no executive or judicial powers. By the time of the Constitutional Convention, however, the deraclvatagen of this weak government were clearly shown in the government's lack of power to respond to Shay's Rebellion. [In effect, the delegates of the Constitutional Convention made sure that the central government had enough power to deal with domestic issues, and the success of this policy was later shown in the put-down of the Whisky Rebellion. [Good point!]] However, with all this power there were many loopholes that would have become detrimental to the success of the Constitutional Government, namely the abuse of power. In contrast to a unicameral system of the Articles, in which the votes on issues were to be carried out by our [Avoid pronouns] elected representatives from each state, several compromisese were madle in the Constitution that not only erectedx a bicameral legislative system, but also created a system of checks-and-balances, in which the executive, legislative, and judicial branches would work harmoniously preventing any group'sx or individual'sx getting too much power. In effect, the rights of states s legislative entities were lessened mustx tox the desmony of Anti-Federalists lke Thomas Jefferson and George Mason.
Equally as important were the departures of the Constitutional government's powers to stimulatex and to regulate the economy from the Articles' government's lack thereof. Since the Federal Government under the Articles had virtually no executive powers, nor could it tax its citizens, it had to rely on the penaph of "goodwill". As an effect of this policy, underprendict states had to "by good will" accept the monetary limits of each other; however, as inflation grow rampantx, and the federally-issued "Continental" dollar became worthless, the lack of a common money began to become a nazor problem. However, after the ratification of the Constitution, and thanks to the Federalists' loose interpretation of it, Alexander Hamilton's Financial Plan proved to be one of great value. The government had the power to tax its citizens – something the Article did not give to the Post-Revolutionary government. As shown in the commerce comprise, the government also regulated the flow of money from tariffs on imports. Most importantly, a national moneyx was realizedx with the creationx of a National Bank that stimulated the growth of business and commerce. The government could with its uneusedx powers anymerx the debts of states and have a stronger foundation in both foreign and domestic affairs.
The Constitution also brought about social and cultural changes, exemplified most effectively by the Bill of Rights. Under the Articles of Confederation, the fundamental rights of citizens were protected by state bills of rights. However, the first ten Amendments to the Constitution provided for rights that the states must see as real. It was understood that the importation of slaves, in light of these neen statements of rihts, was to end within 20 years of the Constitution's ratification. The New Constitution's philosophical ideas, namely those shown by such enlightment thinkers such as John Locke and Jean-Jreque, Romesqrwex, could be realized. The people would be in control of their own government, and the government had the responsibilities to protect its people's rights.
The government under the Constitution was therefore to a great extent radically different from that under the Articles of Confederation. Political, economical, social, and cultural aspects of the United States were changed byx the context of the government's uceniy more power. An ulucate system of checks-and-balances protected the People from anyone's gaining too much power, and the government's power was and to stimulate commerce and business.
Excellent essay and analysis!