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| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What was the name of the constitution of the first national government of the United States? | Articles of Confederation |
| Why did the Articles of Confederation not have a chief executive and limit the Confederation Congress' power? | To prevent a strong national government by keeping power in the state governments |
| What law created a plan for dividing and selling land in the Northwest territory? | Land Ordinance of 1785 |
| What were the two land divisions created by the Land Ordinance of 1785? | Townships and Sections |
| What law organized government for the Northwest Territory and created a plan for territories to become states? | Northwest Ordinance |
| What economic problems did the U.S. have during the Confederation years? | Inflation, inability to regulate trade, Economic depression & Repaying revolutionary war debt |
| Why was the Confederation Congress unable to solve the country's economic problems? | It lacked the power to tax & regulate money |
| Why did Shay's rebellion in 1786 lead to the formation of U.S. Constitution? | It showed people the Confederation government was too weak & needed to be changed |
| What was the name of the May 1787 meeting held in Philadelphia to change the Articles of Confederation that resulted in the writing of a new constitution? | Constitutional Convention |
| Who was the leader of the Constitutional Convention? | George Washington |
| Who is known as the "Father of the U.S. Constitution" because he took notes at the Convention and his ideas of government were incorporated into the Constitution? | James Madison |
| Why did New Jersey plan favor states with smaller populations? | I representative per State |
| Why did the Virginia plan favor states with larger populations? | Larger population = More representatives |
| What compromise at the Constitutional Convention created a Congress where each state has two senators and the state population determines the number of House Representatives? | The Great Compromise |
| What was the dispute between northern and southern states about counting slaves for representation in Congress? | Southerners but not Northerners wanted slaves counted in state populations |
| What compromise at the Constitutional Convention settled the issue of counting slaves for representation in Congress? | 3 Fifths compromise |
| what compromise at the Constitutional Convention was made regarding importing new slaves? | Slave importation would be allowed for 20 more years until 1807 |
| How were John Locke's Enlightenment ideas of protecting people's natural rights incorporated into the Constitution? | The Constitution specified & divided the governments powers |
| Why were some people, known as anti-federalists, against the new constitution? | The Constitution was too strong & lacked protection for individual rights |
| What compromise was made to convince people who were against the constitution to accept it? | A promise to add a Bill of Rights |