User:JamesWilson/American History Homework Three

I will work on the assignment in my userspace and will post it when finished. I will also attempt the Honors questions this time around.

1. Identify two of the biggest weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

The Articles of Confederation lacked taxing power and the federal government could not tax the people in order to pay off Revolutionary War debts. It also lacked a powerful executive (President) to reside over the nation.

2. Other than George Washington, who do you think was the most influential Founding Father?

I think Thomas Jefferson was the most influential Founding Father. He helped in the independence process, and drafted the Declaration.

4. Give an example of George Washington's leadership. Explain. A great example of Washington's leadership was the Whiskey Rebellion where Pennsylvanian farmers protested a seven cent whiskey tax. What was admirable was that Washington himself risked his life and formed an army which he led to stop the rebellion when the governor would not act. 5. "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports." From where is that quote taken, and what does it mean to you? This quote was taken from Washington's Farewell Address and what this means to me is that our elected officials will prosper if they are religious and have excellent morals. 6. Describe two important aspects of the Northwest Ordinance. This Ordinance created a government for the Northwest Territory. It also allowed for the territory to be divided into states and created statehood procedure. 7. President John Adams was only a one-term president. Why? John Adams was an unpopular President and was humiliated over his foreign policy and the Alien & Sedition Acts which expelled aliens and trampled on free speech by limiting criticism of high government officials.

Honors Questions

Answer three out of the following questions (in addition to the questions above):

H1. Would you have been an Anti-Federalist with respect to the Constitution? Discuss.

H2. Do you think States have the power of "nullification" with respect to laws passed by Congress? Discuss in the context of the Alien & Sedition Acts.

H3. James Madison's Federalist No. 10, as discussed in the lecture: can you explain and appreciate it?

H4. What would you have done differently if you served as an early President of the United States? Explain.

H5. Write about any issue related to this week's lecture.