6.4 APUSH
What dominated the postwar political agenda?
Money questions—debt, taxes, and tariffs.
How did Americans who served under the Confederation view economic issues?
From a national perspective rather than just a state perspective.
How did northern and southern states differ on tariffs?
Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania wanted to control their own tariffs, while southern states opposed tariffs.
What change occurred among some southern leaders?
Some southern leaders became nationalists, supporting stronger federal solutions.
What was the purpose of the Annapolis Convention (1786)?
Delegates from 5 states met to address economic problems under the Articles of Confederation.
What was recommended at the Annapolis Convention?
Another convention with representatives from all states should be held in Philadelphia in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation.
What did Congress do in response to the Annapolis Convention recommendations?
Congress passed a resolution calling for a convention to revise the Articles of Confederation.
When and where did the Philadelphia Convention take place?
May 1787, in Philadelphia.
How many delegates attended and who was absent?
55 delegates from all states except Rhode Island; John Adams, Thomas Jefferson missed it; Samuel Adams was rejected.
Who were the influential young nationalists at the convention?
James Madison and Alexander Hamilton; they demanded strong central government to protect the republic from imprudent democracy.
What was the Virginia Plan?
Drafted by James Madison; proposed a strong three-branch government with representation in both houses based on population, national laws overriding state laws, and a three-tier election system.
What were the two main flaws of the Virginia Plan?
1. Opposition to national veto of state laws.
2. Representation based on population gave large states too much power over small states.
What was the New Jersey Plan?
Drafted by William Paterson for small states; kept a single-house congress with one vote per state, enhanced congressional powers for revenue and commerce, preserved state control over laws.
What was the Great Compromise?
Connecticut plan: Senate has two members per state, House of Representatives based on population; state legislatures elect senators, states choose electors for president.
How did the convention address voting in national elections?
No property requirement was set for voting in national elections.
How was slavery addressed in the Constitution?
Fugitive slave clause allowed owners to reclaim runaway slaves; slaves counted as 3/5 of a person for representation and taxation; slavery itself was not abolished.
How did southern states benefit from the slavery compromises?
Counting slaves increased their population, giving them more representation and helping southern planters dominate national politics until 1860.
What powers were granted to the national government by the Constitution?
Taxation, raising an army and navy, regulating foreign and interstate commerce, and making all “necessary and proper” laws.
How did the Constitution protect financial and contract obligations?
Required the U.S. to honor the national debt, prohibited states from issuing paper money, or enacting laws impairing contracts.
How would the Constitution take effect?
When ratified by conventions in nine of the thirteen states.
Who were the Federalists?
Supporters of the Constitution and a strong central government; they coordinated pamphlets and newspaper campaigns to justify the Constitution.
Who were the Antifederalists?
Opponents of the Constitution; feared a distant, powerful central government run by wealthy men and the loss of state power; demanded a bill of rights.
Why did Antifederalists worry about large electoral districts?
Large districts would restrict officeholding to wealthy men, unlike smaller state districts which favored respectable yeomanry.
How did Federalists respond to Antifederalist concerns?
James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton wrote 85 essays titled The Federalist (1787–1788), explaining and defending the Constitution.
What was the key idea of Federalist No. 10?
Madison argued that a large republic could better protect liberty by controlling factions, rather than small polities.
Who participated in state ratifications?
Farmers, middling artisans, commercial farmers, and merchants.
What happened during ratification in Massachusetts (Jan 1788)?
Federalists won 187–168 votes after suggesting nine amendments to appease concerns; Boston artisans supported ratification for economic protection.
How was ratification secured in Virginia and New York?
Through strong Federalist arguments and promises to consider amendments.
What was the result of the ratification process?
Most Americans accepted the Constitution; Congress and James Madison drafted amendments (Bill of Rights) to address concerns.
What was the significance of the 1787 Constitutional process?
It created a national republic with broad popular support, marking the American Constitutional Revolution.