1. Unit 2 Review Topics: Articles of Confederation
Federalists and Antifederalists
Principles of the Constitution
*this is a brief overview of the content

2. How the Central Government under the Articles handled the following:
(1) Disputes between states over land claims in the west
Land claimed by various states was ceded to the confederation government , creating a national domain
Confederation government created a method for distributing land through Land Ordinances

3. And Confederation government created new states through Northwest Ordinance (declared slavery illegal in old west NW territory)
Land and NW ordinances 1st acts of Congress
(2) Treaty of Paris:
During revolutionary war, confederation government was effective in negotiating Treaty of Paris

4. A. Economic Problems Under the Articles
During the war, trade with Great Britain was interrupted; as a result the nation experienced a depression
People had trouble paying mortgages and state taxes
Lead to a rebellion in Massachusetts
Shay’s rebellion

5. Farmers in MA suffered from high debt as they tried to start new farms
The MA government did not help farmers and instead local sheriffs seized farms and some farmers who couldn’t pay their debts were put in prison
Conditions led to 1st major armed rebellion since the Revolution
Farmers in western MA organized resistance: Called meeting to protest conditions; Rebels forced courts to close and freed imprisoned debtors from jail
Events soon erupted into a full-scale revolt when the resistors came under the leadership of Daniel Shays, a former captain in the Continental Army.

6. Farmers in MA suffered from high debt as they tried to start new farms
The MA government did not help farmers and instead local sheriffs seized farms and some farmers who couldn’t pay their debts were put in prison
Conditions led to 1st major armed rebellion since the Revolution
Farmers in western MA organized resistance: Called meeting to protest conditions; Rebels forced courts to close and freed imprisoned debtors from jail
Events soon erupted into a full-scale revolt when the resistors came under the leadership of Daniel Shays, a former captain in the Continental Army.

7. B. Diplomatic Problems under the Articles
Confederation government could not force the British troops to follow the provisions (agreements) of the Treaty of Paris such as:
Required removal of British troops stationed at frontier forts on US soil
Not able to persuade the British government to allow the continuation of trade between British merchants and former colonies

8. As a result: states were negotiating on their own with other nations
With Spain:
Confederation government could not persuade Spain to allow Americans access through New Orleans to the sea
As a result: states were negotiating on their own with other nations

9. C. Political Problems
The confederation government could not levy taxes, but only borrow money
Many states refused to give money to support national government
As a result: national government could not support an army to give national government diplomatic power with other nations

10. HOW Constitution fixed problems
Economic:
National gov & states can tax
Only national gov. coin $$
National gov. regulates interstate commerce
Trade b/n states
Create stronger national gov. to preserve peace

11. HOW Constitution fixed problems
Diplomatic:
National government given right to make treaties with foreign powers
Able to protect US interests

12. How Constitution fixed problems
Political:
Created 3 branches of gov.
Created bicameral congress
2 houses based on population size and equal representation
In Senate: 2 reps per state
In House of Rep: based on population
To pass a law
Need majority to pass in House
60% to pass in Senate

13. Views of the Federalists and Antifederalists

14. Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Key Figures
Alexander Hamilton
James Madison
Wrote Federalists papers
Thomas Jefferson
Supporters
Property owners, land rich merchants in Northern states
Small farmers, shopkeepers, laborers

15. Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Beliefs
Believed in elitism; saw themselves and those in their class as most fit to govern
Believed in decency of the common man and participation in democracy. Viewed elites as corrupt. Wanted great protection of individual rights

16. Federalists
Anti-Federalists
How they wanted to structure the government
Powerful central government
2 house legislature
With Senate
Wanted stronger state governments
Frequent elections
Smaller districts
More direct democracy

17. Principles of the Constitution
Popular Sovereignty
Power and authority of the government comes from the American people
Limited Government
Goal: create a gov that was not too powerful:
1. National gov. does have not absolute authority
2. Government may only do those things that people have given it the power to do
3. Government must obey its own laws
4. Gov must be conducted according to constitutional principles
Checks and balances
Check system by each
Example: Congress passes a bill, the President can veto the bill or sign it into law
Federalism
Division of powers between national and state governments
Federal system enables national gov to act for nation as a whole, while granting authority to states to deal with local issues
Judicial Review
Separation of Powers
3 branches
1. Congress (HR and Senate)
2. President
3. Judiciary
Power of the courts to interpret laws and determine whether Congressional legislation as Constitutional or unconstitutional

18. Sections of the U.S. Constitution
THE BILL OF RIGHTS
Congress passed the Bill of Rights in 1789 for the purpose of protecting civil liberties.
Greatly influenced by the English Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence, these ten amendments are known as the U.S. Bill of Rights.