We The People Lesson Ten

Terms to Know:
Articles of Confederation- the compact made between the thirteen original American states to form the basis of their government; adopted by Congress in 1781 and replaced by the US Constitution in 1788
Second Continental Congress-
Factions- a group that seeks to promote its own special interest at the expense of the common good
Loyalists- colonists who remained loyal to Great Britain during the American Revolution
Majority rule- a principle of democracy which asserts the greater number of citizens in any political unit should select officials and determine policies
National government-
Northwest Ordinance-
Shays’ Rebellion-an armed revolt by Massachusetts farmers in 1786-87, seeking relief from debts and possible foreclosures of mortgages; led by Daniel Shays, the group prevented judges from hearing mortgage foreclosure cases and attempted to capture an arsenal
Question and Answer:
1. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail to provide for an executive and a judicial branch of government? How did the Articles of Confederation deal with fears that some states would dominate over others in the national government?
· There was a general fear amongst the colonists that the national government would be too powerful. Thus, the solution was to create a weak national government, without an executive or judicial branch. We had a legislature, which was extremely limited in authority because it had no authority over people, taxes, or trade. Also, the Articles established that each state would have one vote on all matters, so that no one state could dominate due to greater population.
2. What were some of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? What were some of the achievements of the national government under the Articles Confederation?
Ø No Money and now power to get it- Congress had no power to tax, and therefore they could not pay off debts and pay those who had served on the army
Ø No power over the state governments and their citizens- Congress had no power to make laws regulating the behavior of citizens or the states or to force these two to do anything. This meant that the national government had no power to mandate, and this created turmoil as far as honoring treaties, etc.
Ø Unenforceable trade agreements- Congress had power to make agreements, but not to make states live up to those agreements. Thus, other nations lost faith and closed their trade with Americans, so that Americans were not allowed to buy or sell goods abroad
Ø Unfair competition among states- no standard tax for goods traveling across states, so there was no means of efficient and productive trade across state lines
Ø Threats to citizens rights and properties- property rights were not protected by states due to factions and that these factions even when the majority, could be like tyranny if they do not protect the common good
· Achievements under the Articles of Confederation include securing recognition of American independence by European Nations, and writing the Northwest Ordinance.
3. What was Shays’ Rebellion? Why did it occur? What was its historical importance?
· In 1786, an armed revolt by Massachusetts farmers in 1786-87, seeking relief from debts and possible foreclosures of mortgages; led by Daniel Shays, the group prevented judges from hearing mortgage foreclosure cases and attempted to capture an arsenal. This event was important historically because it sounded the alarm for a stronger national government.
4. What is a “faction”? Why did some founders consider factions to be a threat to natural rights?
· A faction is a group that seeks to promote its own special interest at the expense of the common good. This is exactly why they were dangerous because they could gain power in a government and take a way the individual rights of life, liberty, and property from smaller groups.