Articles Of Confederation Unsatisfactory
Federalist Papers- A series of 85 essays written by various authors, Hamilton, Alexander, and Jay. These articles were written to persuade the states into ratifying the constitution, saying that it was the best form of government for America.
Shays’ Rebellion- An armed uprising in Massachusetts caused by high taxes that lead to debt. The government took away the farmers farms because they couldn’t pay the taxes, and they rebelled. The Articles of Confederation were too weak to suppress the uprising, and led people to believe they needed to strengthen the federal government.
Articles of Confederation- The government of America as a result of the Revolutionary War. The federal government was harshly restricted, while most of the freedom was given to the …show more content…
states. Eventually, it became evident that the system was too weak to endure. However there were beneficial components, like the Northwest Ordinance.
Northwest Ordinance- Provided a way to admit new states into the Union from the Northwest Territory, setting requirements for becoming states. One of the few valuable components of the Articles of Confederation.
Bill of Rights- The first ten amendments to the Constitution, proposed by the Anti-Federalists. It was feared that the new government would become corrupt, and violate our rights without the Bill of Rights. The Anti-Federalists wouldn’t ratify the Constitution without it.
Federalists- People who support the ratification of the Constitution. They want a Republic, a strong central government. Believed that the Articles were too weak, and that the central government should have more power than the states.
Anti-Federalists- People who oppose the ratification of the Constitution. They want a pure democracy, and don’t want the states to lose power. Strong advocates for the Bill of Rights, they were scared that the new government would become corrupt without it.
⅗ Compromise- A compromise about weather slaves should be counted for population and or taxation. The solution was to count every slave as three fifths of a free person, this was implemented to keep the south in the Union.
Virginia Plan- Also known as the Large States plan, supported representation based on population. The small states thought this was unfair, that large states would rule over the government.
New Jersey Plan- Also known as the Small States plan, supported equal representation per state. The large states thought this was unfair that they had more people, but had the same amount of representation.
Connecticut Compromise- Also known as the Great Compromise, combining the Virginia and New Jersey Plans. Two part legislature, where both types of representation were joined. Representation by population in the House of Representatives, and equal representation in the Senate.
States Rights- Rights and powers held by the States that aren’t held by the Federal Government.
Why are the Articles of Confederation unsatisfactory?
The Articles of Confederation are unsatisfactory because they are too weak, and have no ability to enforce policies. There was is no way to tax, or put down public unrest, and the country is slipping into a deep debt.
What are the concerns of big states and small states?
The small states are concerned that the larger states will overpower them in the government, and they will lose all the power that they previously had. The large states are concerned that if they have the same amount of representation as the small states, then their people will have less representation per person. For example, if every two people in a small state equal twelve people in a large state, then the small states get more representation per person.
What are the concerns of free states and slave states?
The free states are concerned that slavery will spread across America. They are also concerned that if they limit slavery, then the southern states will secede. The slave states are concerned that the free states will unite and abolish slavery. Abolishing slavery will destroy the southerners way of life.
What are the concerns of advocates of stronger and weaker central
government?
Advocates for a stronger central government are concerned that revising the Articles of Confederation wasn’t going to be enough, they wanted to create a new constitution. Also, after they created the Constitution, they were concerned that the states wouldn’t accept it. The advocates for a weaker central government were concerned that the states would lose all their power, and that the new executive would become corrupt. What would stop the president from becoming re elected uncontrollably?
Character questions
Age at the convention: 55
Birthplace: Wakefield Plantation, VA
State representing: Virginia
Favors more power to the state or federal government: Favors strong federal government
Signed the constitution: Yes
Fact 1: George Washington was the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
Fact 2: George Washington was a professional surveyor in his teens, before he joined the army.
George Washington’s reaction to being elected President of the Constitutional Convention: George Washington was very reluctant to attend the Constitutional Convention, he suspected that he would be nominated as president of the convention and later to be the new executive of the nation. He didn’t want to be perceived as power hungry, and was attempting to go into retirement. He had to be persuaded to come to the convention. He must have been worried about how he would perform, setting precedents for the future Americans could have been very anxiety inducing. The approaching generations would be looking up to Washington, the way that he behaves and executes his tasks will be studied.
Source used for Washington’s Reaction:
Shays’ Rebellion- An armed uprising in Massachusetts caused by high taxes that lead to debt. The government took away the farmers farms because they couldn’t pay the taxes, and they rebelled. The Articles of Confederation were too weak to suppress the uprising, and led people to believe they needed to strengthen the federal government.
Articles of Confederation- The government of America as a result of the Revolutionary War. The federal government was harshly restricted, while most of the freedom was given to the …show more content…
states. Eventually, it became evident that the system was too weak to endure. However there were beneficial components, like the Northwest Ordinance.
Northwest Ordinance- Provided a way to admit new states into the Union from the Northwest Territory, setting requirements for becoming states. One of the few valuable components of the Articles of Confederation.
Bill of Rights- The first ten amendments to the Constitution, proposed by the Anti-Federalists. It was feared that the new government would become corrupt, and violate our rights without the Bill of Rights. The Anti-Federalists wouldn’t ratify the Constitution without it.
Federalists- People who support the ratification of the Constitution. They want a Republic, a strong central government. Believed that the Articles were too weak, and that the central government should have more power than the states.
Anti-Federalists- People who oppose the ratification of the Constitution. They want a pure democracy, and don’t want the states to lose power. Strong advocates for the Bill of Rights, they were scared that the new government would become corrupt without it.
⅗ Compromise- A compromise about weather slaves should be counted for population and or taxation. The solution was to count every slave as three fifths of a free person, this was implemented to keep the south in the Union.
Virginia Plan- Also known as the Large States plan, supported representation based on population. The small states thought this was unfair, that large states would rule over the government.
New Jersey Plan- Also known as the Small States plan, supported equal representation per state. The large states thought this was unfair that they had more people, but had the same amount of representation.
Connecticut Compromise- Also known as the Great Compromise, combining the Virginia and New Jersey Plans. Two part legislature, where both types of representation were joined. Representation by population in the House of Representatives, and equal representation in the Senate.
States Rights- Rights and powers held by the States that aren’t held by the Federal Government.
Why are the Articles of Confederation unsatisfactory?
The Articles of Confederation are unsatisfactory because they are too weak, and have no ability to enforce policies. There was is no way to tax, or put down public unrest, and the country is slipping into a deep debt.
What are the concerns of big states and small states?
The small states are concerned that the larger states will overpower them in the government, and they will lose all the power that they previously had. The large states are concerned that if they have the same amount of representation as the small states, then their people will have less representation per person. For example, if every two people in a small state equal twelve people in a large state, then the small states get more representation per person.
What are the concerns of free states and slave states?
The free states are concerned that slavery will spread across America. They are also concerned that if they limit slavery, then the southern states will secede. The slave states are concerned that the free states will unite and abolish slavery. Abolishing slavery will destroy the southerners way of life.
What are the concerns of advocates of stronger and weaker central
government?
Advocates for a stronger central government are concerned that revising the Articles of Confederation wasn’t going to be enough, they wanted to create a new constitution. Also, after they created the Constitution, they were concerned that the states wouldn’t accept it. The advocates for a weaker central government were concerned that the states would lose all their power, and that the new executive would become corrupt. What would stop the president from becoming re elected uncontrollably?
Character questions
Age at the convention: 55
Birthplace: Wakefield Plantation, VA
State representing: Virginia
Favors more power to the state or federal government: Favors strong federal government
Signed the constitution: Yes
Fact 1: George Washington was the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
Fact 2: George Washington was a professional surveyor in his teens, before he joined the army.
George Washington’s reaction to being elected President of the Constitutional Convention: George Washington was very reluctant to attend the Constitutional Convention, he suspected that he would be nominated as president of the convention and later to be the new executive of the nation. He didn’t want to be perceived as power hungry, and was attempting to go into retirement. He had to be persuaded to come to the convention. He must have been worried about how he would perform, setting precedents for the future Americans could have been very anxiety inducing. The approaching generations would be looking up to Washington, the way that he behaves and executes his tasks will be studied.
Source used for Washington’s Reaction: