APUSH Review: Give Me Liberty, Chapter 7

Summary

This video covers the Articles of Confederation, the weaknesses of early U.S. government, and the steps toward the Constitution. It discusses key events like Shay's Rebellion, land ordinances in the Northwest Territory, and the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. Major debates over representation, slavery, and the Bill of Rights are highlighted, along with the Federalist and Anti-Federalist arguments. The video also examines Native American relations, Jefferson’s views on integrating Natives into American society, and growing racial justification for slavery, leading into the evolution of American democracy and civil liberties.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The Articles of Confederation was the first governing document of the United States, creating a very weak central government due to fear of too much power.
• 🌐 Under the Articles, there was a unicameral Congress where each state had one vote, regardless of population size.
• 📜 The federal government had limited powers, such as declaring war and making treaties, but could not tax citizens directly.
• 📝 Land became an important source of revenue since the federal government couldn't tax citizens, leading to land disputes with Native Americans.
• 📚 The Land Ordinance of 1785 was crucial as it sold land in the Old Northwest, with the 16th square mile of each section providing money for education.
• 🚫 The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory, marking the first congressional ban on slavery in U.S. history.
• 💡 Shay's Rebellion in 1786-1787 highlighted the need for a stronger national government due to the inability to effectively suppress the rebellion.
• 🗽 The Constitutional Convention aimed to amend the Articles of Confederation but resulted in the creation of a new Constitution with three branches of government.
• 🏛️ The Great Compromise led to a bicameral legislature with the Senate having equal representation and the House of Representatives based on population.
• 🗳️ The Electoral College was established to elect the president, and originally, the runner-up in the presidential election would become the vice president.
• 📜 The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution to gain support of the anti-federalists, protecting individual liberties such as freedom of speech and the right to bear arms.

Q & A

What were the main weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation created a very weak central government with limited powers. It could not tax citizens, and it relied on states for revenue, which often resulted in states not contributing. The central government could not regulate trade, impose tariffs, or enforce laws effectively.

What were the key features of the Land Ordinances, particularly the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was crucial as it established a process for creating new states from territories. It prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory, created a method for territories to apply for statehood once they reached a population of 60,000, and included provisions for funding public education through land sales.

Why was Shay’s Rebellion significant in American history?

Shay’s Rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, particularly the inability of the national government to maintain order or raise a national military. The rebellion was a major factor leading to the call for a stronger central government, ultimately resulting in the Constitutional Convention.

What were the major differences between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan?

The Virginia Plan, proposed by James Madison, favored a bicameral legislature based on population, benefiting larger states. In contrast, the New Jersey Plan called for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, regardless of population size, benefiting smaller states.

What was the Great Compromise and how did it resolve the dispute between large and small states?

The Great Compromise, proposed by Roger Sherman, created a bicameral legislature with two houses: the Senate, where each state has equal representation, and the House of Representatives, where representation is based on population. This balanced the interests of both large and small states.

Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

The Bill of Rights was added to gain the support of Anti-Federalists who feared that the Constitution did not adequately protect individual liberties. James Madison promised to add the Bill of Rights to protect freedoms such as speech, religion, and due process after the Constitution was ratified.

What were the arguments made by the Federalists in favor of the Constitution?

Federalists, including Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, argued that the Constitution protected individual liberties and ensured a separation of powers. In 'Federalist 10,' Madison advocated for a large republic to prevent any one faction from dominating and to protect against abuses of power.

How did the U.S. government deal with Native American tribes under the Constitution?

Native Americans were not considered U.S. citizens, and treaties often involved only a small portion of tribes, leading to widespread land cessions. The government encouraged Native Americans to adopt American agricultural practices and social structures to integrate them into American society.

What was the role of the Fugitive Slave Clause in the Constitution?

The Fugitive Slave Clause mandated that escaped slaves remained slaves even if they fled to free states. It was a key concession to southern states, ensuring that slavery would be upheld nationally and not undermined by states where slavery was illegal.

How did Shay's Rebellion influence the creation of the U.S. Constitution?

Shay's Rebellion exposed the inability of the national government under the Articles of Confederation to maintain public order or raise a military. This highlighted the need for a stronger federal government, leading many to support the creation of the U.S. Constitution, which provided a more powerful central authority.