All Flashcards
Who was Daniel Shays?
A Revolutionary War veteran who led Shay's Rebellion due to heavy debt and high taxes on farmers.
What was the significance of the creation of state constitutions?
They were the first experiments in self-rule after declaring independence, establishing key principles like bills of rights and yearly elections.
What was the Land Ordinance of 1785 and its date?
Organized western lands into townships, provided for public education, and allowed the government to sell land to pay off debt; 1785.
What was the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 and its date?
Established a process for new states to join the Union, banned slavery in the Northwest Territory, and set up territorial governance; 1787.
What was Shay's Rebellion and its dates?
Armed protests in Massachusetts (1786-1787) that exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger central government.
Why was Massachusetts' ratification process significant?
Massachusetts submitted its constitution to the people for ratification, setting a precedent for the national Constitution.
What was the impact of Shay's Rebellion?
Exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and directly led to the Constitutional Convention.
What was the main purpose of the Articles of Confederation?
To establish a national government after the Revolutionary War, but it created a weak central government with limited powers.
What powers did the Articles of Confederation grant the central government?
Conducting foreign relations and regulating trade between states, but it could not tax or regulate commerce effectively.
What was a key feature of state constitutions after independence?
Each state constitution included bills of rights to protect individual liberties.
What was the effect of the Articles' inability to regulate trade?
States fought over trade, making it difficult to do business and hindering economic growth.
What were the Articles of Confederation?
The first attempt at a national government in the US; a loose confederation of states with a weak central government.
Define 'ratification' in the context of state constitutions.
Approval of a state constitution by the people, setting a precedent for the national Constitution.
What is the Land Ordinance of 1785?
Legislation that organized western lands into townships and provided for public education.
What is the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?
Legislation that established a process for new states to join the Union and banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.
What is Shay's Rebellion?
A series of armed protests in Massachusetts (1786-1787) led by Daniel Shays, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
What is a 'bill of rights'?
A list of individual liberties protected by a state constitution.
Define 'yearly elections'.
A system where legislators are elected annually, ensuring accountability.
What does 'regulating commerce' mean?
Controlling and managing trade activities, especially between states or with foreign countries.
What is meant by 'amending the Articles'?
Making changes or additions to the Articles of Confederation, which required unanimous consent.
Define 'national court system'.
A system of courts at the federal level to settle disputes between states and interpret national laws.