Question

a. as you read, take notes that summarize how delegates to the continental congress answered three main questions about the new federal government. 1. representation: by population or by state? 2. supreme power: can it be divided? 3. western lands: who gets them? b. as you read this section, make notes that answer the questions below. 1. what was the new nations major financial problem? 2. why was the national government unable to solve its financial problems? 3. why didnt congress amend the articles so it could impose a tariff? 4. why do you suppose the central government under the articles of confederation was given such limited powers? c. on the back of this paper, define republic, republicanism, and confederation. then briefly explain each of the following: land ordinance of 1785 northwest ordinance of 1787

Explanation:

1. A:

• Representation: Larger - populated states favored representation by population, while smaller states wanted equal representation by state.
• Supreme power: There was a debate over whether supreme power could be divided between states and the central government to avoid tyranny.
• Western lands: States with land - claims in the west wanted to retain them, while others wanted the lands to be under national control for the common good.

1. B:

• The new nation's major financial problem was a large debt from the Revolutionary War and lack of a stable revenue source.
• The national government under the Articles of Confederation was unable to solve its financial problems because it lacked the power to tax directly and had no unified economic policy.
• Congress didn't amend the Articles to impose a tariff because amending the Articles required unanimous consent of all states, and some states opposed it fearing it would hurt their trade.
• The central government under the Articles of Confederation was given limited powers because the states were wary of a strong central authority like the British rule they had just fought against.

1. C:

• Republic: A form of government where power is held by the people and their elected representatives.
• Republicanism: A political ideology that emphasizes the importance of a republic, civic virtue, and the common good.
• Confederation: A loose alliance of states where the central government has limited powers and the states retain a high degree of sovereignty.
• Land Ordinance of 1785: It established a system for surveying and selling public lands in the Northwest Territory, which helped raise revenue and organize settlement.
• Northwest Ordinance of 1787: It provided a process for admitting new states from the Northwest Territory, guaranteed certain rights to settlers, and prohibited slavery in the territory.

Answer:

1. A:

• Representation: Larger states - by population; Smaller states - by state.
• Supreme power: Debate over division to avoid tyranny.
• Western lands: States with claims vs. national control.

1. B:

• 1. Large debt from war, lack of stable revenue.
• 2. Lack of power to tax directly, no unified economic policy.
• 3. Needed unanimous state consent for amendment, some states opposed.
• 4. Fear of strong central authority like British rule.

1. C:

• Republic: People - held power through representatives.
• Republicanism: Emphasis on republic, civic virtue, common good.
• Confederation: Loose state alliance, states have high sovereignty.
• Land Ordinance of 1785: Survey and sell public lands for revenue and settlement.
• Northwest Ordinance of 1787: Admit new states, guarantee rights, ban slavery in territory.