Chapter 7 explores the early American efforts to create a national government. Topics covered in this chapter include an examination of the political philosophy of republicanism, the nature and content of the early state constitutions, and the nature and content of the Articles of Confederation and the document’s inability to produce an effective government. The chapter also explores British and Spanish threats to American security under the Articles and the movement toward a strong national government, culminating in the drafting and adoption of the U.S. Constitution.
After reading this chapter you should be able to:
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Explain the philosophy of republicanism and describe the beliefs Americans generally held regarding who should vote and hold political office.
- Describe the status of women, slaves, and Native Americans after the Revolution.
- Describe the provisions of the Articles of Confederation and explain why Americans chose this form of government during the Revolution.
- Explain how the fiscal crisis contributed to the growth of nationalism and brought about the Constitutional Convention.
- Discuss the ordinances that dealt with western lands.
- Identify the areas of conflict the United States had with Britain and Spain.
- Discuss the reasons why a new frame of government was needed to replace the Articles of Confederation.
- Explain the provisions of the Great Compromise, the provisions for a national executive branch and the concept of checks and balances as they relate to the U.S. Constitution.
- Explain the concept of federalism.
- Identify the characteristics of the Federalist and Antifederalist factions, and discuss the strengths of the Federalist argument favoring ratification of the Constitution.
