Essay Questions: Constitution and Early Republic – Flashcards
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- The Constitution is a document of many debates and compromises. Identify which of the compromises you believe to be the most significant overall and explain why.
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o I think the Connecticut/Great compromise was the best compromise because it is still what we use in our government today. They were fair in sending representatives based on population as well as a set number from each state.
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- What was the role of slavery in the Constitution, and why was it an issue at this time? Think about how it appeared in the Constitution, and be sure to include at least 2 of the 3 slave "clauses."
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About half of the delegates were slave owners and didn't want to lose their slaves. If the constitution didn't include slavery, it was unlikely that Southern states would sign it. The word 'slave' was never used in any of the clauses. The fugitive slave clause states that any person that is supposed to be used for labor in one state, but is found in another state must be returned to the person who the service or labor is due too. The 3/5 clause was a benefit for the South because it allowed the 3/5 of the slave population to be counted as part of the state's total population, allowing them to gain more representation opportunities. Although they got the extra heads for representation, they also had to pay taxes for 3/5 of the slaves.
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- What were the major arguments put forth by the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists about the Constitution and its ratification?
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o Federalists Want National Government's rights For the constitution and were very well organized o Anti-Federalists- Want states' rights Opposed the constitution Didn't like national government because they thought it would limit freedom - thought would be dominated by elite and become less organized - states would protect your rights as non-elite
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- What was the purpose and meaning of the Bill of Rights, and what role did it play in the ratification process?
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oPurpose of bill of rights was to list citizen's rights after the constitution was ratified. Some states said that they would refuse to stay unless something like this came about in the constitution.
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- Why were the politics of the 1790s so divisive? Include specific examples of these divisions.
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o Federalists and Republicans had different views on a lot of things such as economy, foreign relations, the role of national government and status of elites. o Economy F - get out of debt using industry/commerce R - farming o Foreign Relation F- Britain especially for trade R - France, no Britain and wanted self-reliant o Nat Gov F- strong national government R - weaker more limited national government o Elites F- strict social hierarchy R- social equality - ended up having hierarchy but less strict
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- In what ways was liberty restricted during the Adams presidency?
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o Adams has a document signed that says you can't talk bad about the govt. o Makes it more difficult for foreigners to come here and easier to kick them out o Doesn't care about the supreme court or congress, ignores o Alien and sedation acts signed by Adams - target republicans
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- Who actually won the War of 1812, and what was the larger significance of the war?
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o The war of 1812 was considered a draw, but technically the British won because their only goal was to protect Canada and they did that. America got a sense of colonial dependency and the war made the British stop thinking of America as its colony. We didn't get what we wanted, but we didn't lose independence. It created a bigger separation from Britain and America
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- What was new (and different) about politics during Jackson's run for president and his time in office?
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o Wanted to change country from Federalist to Republican Wanted to limit the size and power of national government Decreased military Wanted to get involved with two foreign relations
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- What was Jackson's approach to the Native American population? Why did he take this approach, and how were the native peoples impacted?
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Indian Removal Act-takes the native Americans out of the south and go live on Louisiana purchase territory Impacted bc they have to pick up and move again, many died, manifest destiny-they needed more land
