Question 1

Why did politicians prefer to work in state government instead of the national government under the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

State government was still seen as more relevant because the Articles of Confederation created a weak national government and gave most of the power to the states. As a result, politicians preferred to work in state government where they had more sway and control.

Question 2

What was a shared feature of all the state constitutions drawn up during the American Revolution?

Accepted Answer

All the state constitutions drawn up during the American Revolution shared a commitment to republicanism, which emphasized popular sovereignty and the common good over individual interests. While some state constitutions did include a strong governor or two-house legislature, these features were not present in all of them. There was also a general distrust of centralized government, so it is unlikely that any of the state constitutions called for a strong central government.

Question 3

Why were some states reluctant to include "equality language" in their bills of rights and constitutions?

Accepted Answer

Many states were hesitant to include "equality language" in their bills of rights and constitutions because they were worried that it could be interpreted to apply to slaves, which could have significant legal and societal implications.

Question 4

Which state allowed free blacks and women to vote in the early years of the republic?

Accepted Answer

New Jersey's state constitution, adopted in 1776, allowed "all inhabitants" worth 50 pounds or more to vote, including free blacks and unmarried women. However, this law was later repealed in 1807.

Question 5

Why did Massachusetts African Americans Paul and John Cuffe refuse to pay taxes in 1779?

Accepted Answer

Paul and John Cuffe refused to pay taxes in 1779 as a form of protest against the fact that they could not vote. They believed that taxation without representation was unjust, and refused to comply with it.

Question 6

What did the national government lack under the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What did the national government lack under...

Question 7

Writers of the new state constitutions believed that voting requirements should

Accepted Answer

The answer of Writers of the new state constitutions believed...

Question 8

In devising their new constitutions, most states

Accepted Answer

Many states reduced the powers of the governor in their new constitutions, as they wanted to limit executive power and prevent a repeat of the abuses seen under British rule. They also sought to create a system of checks and balances between the different branches of government, and reducing the governor's power was one way to achieve this.

Question 9

What led to the largest emancipation of blacks in the deep South immediately after the Revolution?

Accepted Answer

During the Revolutionary War, many slaves escaped and joined the British army, who promised them freedom in exchange for their service. This increased the number of free blacks in the South, and put pressure on Southern slave owners to also emancipate their slaves to prevent further loss of labor. This led to the largest emancipation of blacks in the deep South immediately after the Revolution.

Question 10

Who was responsible for passing tax bills under the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Who was responsible for passing tax bills...

Question 11

What financial problem did the confederation government face after the war?

Accepted Answer

The confederation government faced a huge war debt after the war which it could not afford to pay. This financial problem was a major issue for the government and led to economic instability.

Question 12

Which state passed gradual emancipation laws in 1780?

Accepted Answer

Pennsylvania passed gradual emancipation laws in 1780, becoming the first state to do so. These laws established a gradual process of freeing enslaved individuals with children being freed first and adults being freed after serving a period of indentured servitude.

Question 13

Robert Morris proposed increasing the revenue of the confederation government by

Accepted Answer

Robert Morris proposed passing a 5 percent import tax to increase the revenue of the confederation government.

Question 14

How did the Massachusetts slave Elizabeth Freeman (Mum Bett) gain her freedom in 1781?

Accepted Answer

Elizabeth Freeman, also known as Mum Bett, gained her freedom by winning a court case in 1781. This landmark case helped set a precedent that contributed to the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts.

Question 15

In 1776, members of the Continental Congress agreed that a federal government should have the power to

Accepted Answer

In 1776, members of the Continental Congress agreed that the federal government should have the power to run a postal service. This was one of the few powers explicitly given to the federal government early on, as seen in the Articles of Confederation and later in the U.S. Constitution.

Question 16

How did General George Washington disarm the soldiers responsible for plotting the Newburgh Conspiracy?

Accepted Answer

General George Washington used his skills as an orator to deliver an emotional speech to the soldiers, convincing them to have faith in the Congress and the future of the nation. He appealed to their patriotism and loyalty, reminding them of the sacrifices they had already made for the cause of independence. His speech was successful in defusing the plot and preventing any military action.

Question 17

Virginia's constitution was the first to

Accepted Answer

Virginia's constitution was the first to include a bill of rights, which was adopted on June 12, 1776. It served as a model for the Bill of Rights that was later added to the US Constitution.

Question 18

The Articles of Confederation were finally approved in 1781, when all the states agreed to surrender their

Accepted Answer

The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government and gave significant power to the individual states. One major issue that needed to be resolved was the western lands, which many of the states claimed as their own. In order to unify the states and establish a common framework for the government, the states agreed to surrender their claims to western lands.

Question 19

What was the effect of property qualifications on voters and candidates in the new states?

Accepted Answer

Property qualifications for voting and candidacy in the new states disfranchised between 25 percent to 50 percent of all adult white males, making it difficult for a large portion of the population to participate in the political process. This in turn had an effect on the type of candidates that were able to run for office and limited political opposition to the new government.

Question 20

How did the Articles of Confederation incorporate the power of the states?

Accepted Answer

The Articles of Confederation incorporated the power of the states by giving each state a single vote in Congress. This meant that larger states did not have more influence than smaller states in decision-making processes. Additionally, the Articles required a unanimous vote from all thirteen states to amend the document, further emphasizing the power of the states in the confederation.

Quiz 8: Building a Republic, 1775-1789