Changes

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

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

:Two of the biggest weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation were 1) The lack of the office of the President, and 2) The lack of Congress' ability to make the states obey the nation's new laws. It was very weak because it did not have any one person who would enforce the law, it also did not provide  any means to make the states obey the laws that Congress created. The Office of the President is very important in enforcing the laws that Congress forms. (Alexa)

:Two of the biggest weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation were 1) The lack of the office of the President, and 2) The lack of Congress' ability to make the states obey the nation's new laws. It was very weak because it did not have any one person who would enforce the law, it also did not provide  any means to make the states obey the laws that Congress created. The Office of the President is very important in enforcing the laws that Congress forms. (Alexa)

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

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

:Alexander Hamilton; he gave us political parties, loose constructionism of the Constitution, some of the federalist papers, a national bank, and even George Washington's farewell address. (Paul) (Instructor's note: the "loose constructionism is something the Constitution can do without!")

:Alexander Hamilton; he gave us political parties, loose constructionism of the Constitution, some of the federalist papers, a national bank, and even George Washington's farewell address. (Paul) (Instructor's note: the "loose constructionism" is something the Constitution can do without!)

3.  The Constitutional Convention: describe the "what, when, where, and how" about it.

3.  The Constitutional Convention: describe the "what, when, where, and how" about it.

:I think that the two best aspects of the Northwest Ordinance are the prohibition of slavery in the north – which would eventually cause the Civil War – and the ability to create new states solely by population. (Aran)

:I think that the two best aspects of the Northwest Ordinance are the prohibition of slavery in the north – which would eventually cause the Civil War – and the ability to create new states solely by population. (Aran)

:One important aspect of The Northwest Ordinance was that it established a three stage process based on population for new states to be created and join the Confederation of colonies. It also specified what type of government the new territories and states must have. Secondly, it put foreign countries, particularly England and France on notice that the United States owned this territory and would be settling it, giving the United States its own power and control. (Dylan)

:One important aspect of The Northwest Ordinance was that it established a three stage process based on population for new states to be created and join the Confederation of colonies. It also specified what type of government the new territories and states must have. Secondly, it put foreign countries, particularly England and France, on notice that the United States owned this territory and would be settling it, giving the United States its own power and control. (Dylan)

7.  President John Adams was only a one-term president.  Why?

7.  President John Adams was only a one-term president.  Why?

::a) hopeless when it came to foreign policy (e.g. the “XYZ affair”),

::a) hopeless when it came to foreign policy (e.g. the “XYZ affair”),

::b) an argumentative person( I guess that comes from being a lawyer),

::b) an argumentative person (I guess that comes from being a lawyer),

::c) he tried to make it illegal to criticize him( Alien and Sedition act). (Johnny)

::c) he tried to make it illegal to criticize him (Alien and Sedition act). (Johnny)

:John Adams only served one term because of foreign policy humiliations [e.g., the "XYZ Affair"], as well as his unpopularity and the fact that he was easily offended. (Elise)

:John Adams only served one term because of foreign policy humiliations [e.g., the "XYZ Affair"], as well as his unpopularity and the fact that he was easily offended. (Elise)

passed by Congress?  Discuss in the context of the Alien & Sedition Acts.

passed by Congress?  Discuss in the context of the Alien & Sedition Acts.

:

:Kentucky and Virginia did not have the right to nullify a law because of the sixth Article which says “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby”. It is for the courts to strike down an unconstitutional law. If a state is dissatisfied by the state of affairs it can secede. (Anthony)

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

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

:

:Madison's Federalist Paper No. 10 argues against factions, groups of citizens, or what we today would call special interest groups. (James W.)  (Instructor's addition: Madison further argued for ratification of the Constitution because a large confederation of many people can better defend against tyranny-by-faction than an isolated state can.)

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

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

:

:If I had been an early President of the United States, my priority would have been to improve our military and naval forces. My reasons are:

 

 

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

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

:''Debate: Should the President be required to turn documents over to Congress?''  Not at all! They are two entirely different powers and one does not answer to the other. The action of George Washington with regard to “Jay’s Treaty” was perfectly acceptable. This was one of those many “checks and balances” that exist in our government and endures to this day. (James G.)

:''Debate: Should the President be required to turn documents over to Congress?''  Not at all! They are two entirely different powers and one does not answer to the other. The action of George Washington with regard to “Jay’s Treaty” was perfectly acceptable. This was one of those many “checks and balances” that exist in our government and endures to this day. (James G.)