Chapter 8 Sections 1-4 Guided Reading Questions

Geography Challenge Should Connecticut have as much power as New York, which was larger and had more people, too? At first, the answer to both questions was yes. Under the nation's first constitution, called the Articles of Confederation, each state had one vote in Congress.In time, however, some people began to question the fairness of this system. Yet, basing a state's political power on its population raised other questions. For example, should a state with both slaves and free people have as much power as a state with no slaves and the same total population? What was the name of our nation’s first constitution? The Federal Constitution The Articles of Confederation The Declaration of Independence How many votes did each state get under our nation's first constitution? 1 2 3 Why does this system seem unfair to some? Section 1 After declaring independence in 1776, Congress had tried to unite the states under one national government. This proved to be a difficult task. Most members of Congress were nervous about creating a strong central government. They feared that such a government would trample the very rights they were fighting to preserve.Their solution was a plan of government known as the Articles of Confederation. The Articles created “a firm league of friendship” in which “each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence.” This “league of friendship” was a loose union in which the 13 states cooperated for common purposes. It was run by Congress, in which each state had one vote. On paper, the Articles of Confederation gave Congress several important powers. It could declare war, raise an army and a navy, print money, and set up a postal system.In reality, however, these powers were limited by the inability of Congress to impose taxes. Instead, Congress had to ask the states for funds to do anything. All too often, the states ignored Congress's “humble requests.” Why was Congress nervous about creating a strong central government? List 4 things the Articles of Confederation gave Congress the power to do. Look back at the last paragraph. Fill in the blanks about Congress' power. In reality, however, these powers were limited by the inability of Congress to impose taxes. Instead, Congress had to ask the states for funds to do anything. All too often, the states ignored Congress's “humble requests.” Section 2 Many of their fights were about taxes on goods that crossed state borders. The states also disagreed over boundaries. The inability of Congress to end such disagreements was one of the key weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.Congress did get the states to agree on one important issue: how to develop the western lands acquired in the Treaty of Paris. At that time, there was no orderly way to divide up and sell these lands. Settlers walked into the wilderness and claimed the land they liked. Disputes over who owned what clogged the courts.To end this confusion, Congress passed the Land Ordinance of 1785. Under this law, western lands were divided into six-mile squares called townships. Each township was then divided into 36 sections of 640 acres each. One section of each township was set aside to support the township's public schools. The other sections were to be sold to settlers.The Northwest Ordinance: As soon as a territory had 5,000 free adult males, it could elect its own legislature, or lawmaking body. When the population reached 60,000, a territory could apply to Congress to become a state. The Northwest Ordinance included a list of rights that gave settlers the same privileges as other citizens, except for one. Slavery was banned in the Northwest Territory, which included Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan. Re-read the first paragraph. Fill in the appropriate banks. Many of their fights were about taxes on goods that crossed state borders. The states also disagreed over boundaries. The inability of Congress to end such disagreements was one of the key weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Treaty of Paris Land GainThe light green color is the land gained from the Treaty of Paris (the treaty that ended the French and Indian War)There were a lot of problems dividing up the land and who got control of the new land. What was the name of the law that divided up this land into townships? Articles of Confederation Land Ordinance of 1785 Treaty of Paris Land Ordinance of 1785 western lands were divided into six-mile squares called townships One section of each township was set aside to support the township's public schools Northwest Ordinance 60,000 population= a territory could apply to Congress to become a state 5,000 free males= a territory can elect its own legislature (law-making body) Slavery was allowed in the Northwest Territory. True False Section 3 The paper money printed by Congress during the war was worthless. Congress had the power to make coins that would not lose their value. But it lacked gold or silver to mint into coins. The states reacted to the money shortage by printing their own paper currency. Before long, bills of different sizes and colors were distributed from state to state. No one knew what any of these currencies was worth, but most agreed they were not worth much.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Shay’s Rebellion: In Massachusetts, judges ordered farmers to sell their land and livestock to pay off their debts. Led by Daniel Shays, a hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Massachusetts farmers rebelled.In 1786, Shays and his followers closed down courthouses to keep judges from taking their farms. Then they marched on the national arsenal at Springfield to seize the weapons stored there. Having disbanded the Continental army, Congress was unable to stop them.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For the past year, James Madison had devoted himself to the study of governments, both ancient and modern. The lesson of the past was always the same. A nation that was made up of many groups needed a strong central government, or it would soon be torn apart by fighting. What was another weakness of Congress under the Articles of Confederation according to the first paragraph? Look at first paragraph Shay's Rebellion Watch and answer the following questions. Why was Daniel Shays so upset? Re-read the last paragraph and fill in the blanks below. For the past year, James Madison had devoted himself to the study of governments, both ancient and modern. The lesson of the past was always the same. A nation that was made up of many groups needed a strong central government, or it would soon be torn apart by fighting. Section 4 On May 25, 1787, the Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia for the first time in the east room of the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall). The delegates' first action was to elect George Washington president of the convention. Fifty-five delegates from 12 states attended the Constitutional Convention. Rhode Island, which prided itself as “the home of the otherwise minded” and feared a strong national government, boycotted the meeting.Despite the delegates' broad agreement on a government “of the people,” many questions were left unanswered. For example, who exactly should have a say in a truly “representative” government? Even in liberal Pennsylvania, only free, white males could vote. Some states allowed only wealthier citizens to vote or hold office. Women could not vote in any state except New Jersey. (New Jersey women would lose the right to vote in 1807.)Many delegates wanted to keep government close to the people by preserving the rights of the states. They feared that a strong national government would threaten individual liberty. Others, including Madison, argued just the opposite. Look at what has happened under the Articles of Confederation, they said, referring to events like Shays' Rebellion. If the central government is too weak, it cannot do its job of protecting liberty and property. Why did the call it the Constitutional Convention? Where did the Constitutional Convention first meet? Washington D.C. Richmond, VA Philadelphia, PA Founding Father's Fears Matching Match the fears of the founding fathers in regards to national government. Strong central government would threaten individual freedom Weak central government would not be able to protect freedom and property