8th US History Term 1

Guided Notes & Study Guide for Unit 4

Who had more power under the Articles of Confederation: the individual states or the national government?

Under the Articles of Confederation, the individual states had more power than the national government.

To determine who had more power under the Articles of Confederation, we need to look at the structure and provisions of the Articles themselves.

To find this information, you can start by referring to your textbook, class notes, or any other study material provided by your instructor. Look for sections or chapters that cover the Articles of Confederation and its analysis.

If you don't have immediate access to these resources, you can search for reputable online sources such as educational websites, government publications, or scholarly articles. Make sure to use reliable sources that provide accurate and well-researched content.

When reading the relevant materials, focus on the powers and limitations of both the individual states and the national (central) government. Note any specific provisions that granted authority to either entity and any limitations placed on their powers.

By examining the distribution of powers and the extent of authority granted to both the states and the national government, you will be able to determine who had more power under the Articles of Confederation.

Remember, it is essential to understand the context and historical significance of this question in order to provide a comprehensive answer. So, take your time to gather information and consider multiple perspectives before formulating your own response.

Under the Articles of Confederation, the individual states had more power than the national government. The Articles created a weak central government with limited powers, while giving substantial autonomy to the individual states. The national government had limited authority to regulate commerce, maintain a military, and collect taxes. Most of the power resided with the state governments, including the ability to establish their own laws, levy taxes, and oversee their own militia forces. The central government lacked the power to enforce its laws or make decisions without the approval of the states.

What did individual states decide to do as the Continental dollar continued to lose value?

As the Continental dollar continued to lose value during the American Revolutionary War, individual states made various decisions in response. Some states took measures to stabilize their own economies by creating their own currency or issuing state-backed paper money. This allowed them to maintain some level of economic stability and facilitate trade within their state borders.

Other states implemented price controls, where they established maximum prices for goods and services, in an attempt to prevent inflation and mitigate the effects of the depreciating currency.

Additionally, some states implemented more drastic measures, such as confiscating property or imposing taxes specifically on loyalists or individuals suspected of hoarding goods, as a way to address economic hardships.

Overall, the actions taken by individual states varied, reflecting the decentralized nature of governance under the Articles of Confederation and the different priorities and circumstances faced by each state.

Shorter, please

As the Continental dollar continued to lose value, individual states took different measures to address the economic situation. Some states created their own currency or issued state-backed paper money, while others implemented price controls or imposed taxes on certain individuals. The actions taken varied among the states.

But what did all individual states do?

Apologies for any confusion. In response to the Continental dollar losing value, all individual states faced economic challenges and took similar actions to address the situation. This included issuing their own currency or state-backed paper money, implementing price controls, and imposing taxes or confiscating property to mitigate economic hardships. These actions were undertaken by most, if not all, of the individual states to combat the effects of the depreciating Continental dollar.

List some major problems with the Articles of Confederation.

Some major problems with the Articles of Confederation include:

1. Weak central government: The Articles established a weak central government with limited powers, making it difficult for the national government to effectively govern the country.
2. Lack of power to tax: The central government under the Articles did not have the authority to levy taxes, making it challenging to fund essential government functions and pay off war debts.
3. Inability to regulate commerce: The national government had limited power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce, leading to economic disputes among states and hindrances to trade.
4. No national currency: The Articles did not provide for a national currency, resulting in a lack of uniformity in economic transactions and difficulty in conducting trade.
5. Inefficiencies in decision-making: The central government required the unanimous consent of all states to pass laws or make amendments, making decision-making slow and often gridlocked.
6. Lack of an executive branch: The Articles did not establish an executive branch, leading to a lack of strong leadership and coordination at the national level.
7. Inadequate military defense: The central government had limited power to raise and maintain a national military, leaving the country vulnerable to external threats.
8. Difficulty in amending the Articles: The process of amending the Articles was cumbersome and required unanimous consent, making it challenging to adapt to changing circumstances and address inherent weaknesses.

These problems ultimately contributed to the call for a stronger national government, leading to the drafting and adoption of the United States Constitution.

The Northwest Ordinance outlawed what horrible practice in the Northwest Territory?

The Northwest Ordinance outlawed slavery in the Northwest Territory. It prohibited the practice of slavery and involuntary servitude, establishing a precedent for prohibiting slavery in new territories and promoting the eventual abolition of slavery in the United States.

One word

Slavery

Territories needed how many people before they could apply for statehood?

Territories needed to have a population of 60,000 free inhabitants before they could apply for statehood.

What was Shay’s Rebellion purpose?

Shay's Rebellion was a rebellion against the state government of Massachusetts led by American Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays in 1786-1787. The purpose of the rebellion was to protest against perceived economic and political injustices. The farmers and rural inhabitants involved in the rebellion were burdened by high taxes, debt, and foreclosures on their property. They demanded debt relief, lower taxes, and an end to the seizure of property for non-payment of taxes. The rebellion aimed to highlight the struggles of the lower class and the need for economic and political reforms.

One sentence

Shays's Rebellion was a protest against perceived economic and political injustices, led by farmers and rural inhabitants in Massachusetts in the late 18th century.

What was the original purpose of calling a Constitutional Convention in 1787?

The original purpose of calling a Constitutional Convention in 1787 was to revise and improve upon the existing Articles of Confederation, which were deemed inadequate in governing the newly formed United States.

What did the Federalist Papers say about the power of individual states?

The Federalist Papers, a series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, advocated for the ratification of the United States Constitution. Regarding the power of individual states, the Federalist Papers argued for a strong central government while acknowledging the importance of state governments.

The Federalist Papers stressed that a balance needed to be struck between the power of the central government and the authority of individual states. They argued that a strong national government was necessary to provide stability, protect individual rights, and promote effective governance, while also recognizing the importance of state governments in addressing local issues and preserving the principles of federalism.

Overall, the Federalist Papers emphasized the importance of a centralized government that could address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation while ensuring that the powers of individual states were respected within the framework of a unified nation.

One sentence?

The Federalist Papers advocated for a strong central government while recognizing the importance of individual state governments within a balanced framework of governance.