5. Treaty of Paris, 1783 (pp. 160–162) a. On p. 162, the authors say that the final peace terms granted by the British were “liberal almost beyond belief.” John _____, the main American negotiator, came to Paris expecting little more than recognition of sovereignty for the thirteen ex-colonies. In addition, though, the British granted to the U.S. all the territory between the ____________ Mountains and the _______________ River. Why do the authors say that the British were so magnanimous to their recently rebellious offspring?
Chapter 9
CONFEDERATION AND CONSTITUTION, 1776–1790
1. Part Two Intro. (pp. 164–165) This introduction gives you a preview of the authors’ answers to certain key questions about the new nation as it struggled to find its legs and then to grow into adolescence. Look at this section and list three major questions you think the authors will be addressing in the next seven chapters.
(1)
(2)
(3)
2. Impact of Revolution (pp. 166–168) a. Contrary to the French Revolution, the authors say that the break with England produced an “accelerated evolution” rather than a full-scale social, economic, and political revolution. Nevertheless, list two areas you found interesting where the authors say that “striking changes” did result from the Revolution.
(1)
(2)
b. Summarize the argument of the authors as to why slavery was not abolished in the new, supposedly democratic and egalitarian nation. *** Do you buy this argument?
3. State Constitutions (pp. 168–171) Significantly for the future national constitution, Congress asked the ex-colonies to produce formal documents summoning themselves into being as new states. List two features of these new state constitutions that you found to be particularly significant:
(1)
(2)
4. Articles of Confederation and Land Policy (171–175) (Note: It's interesting to think of the similarities between the U.S. under the Articles and the European countries today that are working gradually to come together under the European Union. The method of tax collecting is also similar to the United Nations today which must rely on assessments from member states. The U.S. and other countries often withhold their assessments if they disagree with certain U.N. policies.) a. On p. 171, the authors call the thirteen original states essentially sovereign countries because they _________ their own money, raised their own ___________ and navies, and erected their own _________ barriers. The ____________ of Confederation were passed by Congress in 17___, but required unanimous approval of the states. What had to be done with regard to state claims to western lands before all states would concur?
b. List three features of the Articles of Confederation that differ from our current Constitution:
(1)
(2)
(3)
c. Despite its weakness under the Articles, the authors praise the passage by Congress of two highly significant “red-letter” laws. The _______ Ordinance of 1785 called for the Northwest Territory to be surveyed and sold to pay off the national debt, with a part of each section to be set aside for public education. Even more important because it meant voluntarily giving up power, the _____________ Ordinance of 1787 set up the mechanism by which these territories could become states on an equal basis with the original thirteen.
5. Creating the Constitution (pp. 175–182) a. The weak and divided American government was at the mercy of foreign powers, especially its previous mother country, ____________. A debtor uprising in western _____________ in 17___ called _________ Rebellion exemplified the potential for anarchy at home in the absence of a strong central government. Ostensibly to strengthen the Articles, the states sent delegates to a convention in ______________ in May 17___. The method of selection (by state legislatures) assured that delegates would be “a select group of propertied men.” *** Is it your sense that the main interest of these delegates was stability and order or democracy and popular freedom? Why?
b. George _____________ was elected chairman of the convention, but the real “Father of the Constitution,” who seized the initiative early, was James __________ of Virginia. When the convention decided to scrap the Articles and start anew, the bargaining began. What was the
(1) “Great Compromise”:
(2) “Three-fifths Compromise”:
(3) Electoral College:
(4) Principle of “Checks and Balances”:
c. Look at the chart on p. 181. *** What two changes under the new Constitution do you think did most to strengthen the federal government relative to the states?
(1)
(2)
6. Ratification (pp. 182–187) a. *** From your perspective, what were the two best arguments against the new Constitution advanced by the mostly backcountry Antifederalists?
(1)
(2)
b. Ratification was helped by publication of The ____________, an eloquent theoretical defense written by Alexander __________, James ________, and John _______. What do the authors mean when they say on p. 186 that “the minority had triumphed—twice?”
(1) First:
(2) Second:
