Homework Three Answers - Student Fifteen
1. Identify two of the biggest weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
The Articles of Confederation were really just a mirage of the soon to be established Constitution. Our counterfeit government problem was it had no true authority. All bark and no bite. All around being a weak form of government, it lead to larger failures especially in foreign policy and economic issues.
2. Other than George Washington, who do you think was the most influential Founding Father?
Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Also he was the president that signed the Louisiana Purchase and mandated the Louis and Clark expedition. (The Louisiana Purchase especially, influenced America forever because it gave the president the power to nullify the constitution in “special circumstances”)
3. The Constitutional Convention: describe the "what, when, where, and how" about it.
In 1787, between May and September, a Constitutional Convention resulted due to the obvious failure of the former Articles of Confederation. America’s constitution was secretly developed during this time span, in Philadelphia, through the brilliant minds of many God fearing men.
6. Describe two important aspects of the Northwest Ordinance.
The North West Ordinance established new states instead of expanding the territory of previous ones. Each new state also had prohibited slavery. Unfortunately the Native Americans were slowly killed off.
7. President John Adams was only a one-term president. Why?
John Adams became very unpopular because he disregarded the people. He took their criticism as an attack and instead of trying to improve he created the Alien and Sedition Act. He failed in Foreign Policy and allowed his temper get the best of him.
8. Write about any issue related to this week's lecture. Debate: Can a State nullify an Act of Congress? Can a State secede (withdraw) from the United States?
Yes, through the Nullification Act of 1832. The American government is supposed to be for the people. Hence if a state believes our central government has overstepped the boundaries, they can conclude that seceding from the Union would be best for the people. If a state was considering seceding I don’t think they would care whether or not it was constitutionally correct.
-Honors Questions-
H1. Would you have been an Anti-Federalist with respect to the Constitution? Discuss.
I would definitely have been an Anti-Federalist. The Constitution did not guarantee a Bill of Rights. Without such a bill I know I would be extremely hesitant to ratify the Constitution. Quote from Patrick Henry’s debate, “you ought to be extremely cautious, watchful, jealous of your liberty; for, instead of securing your rights, you may lose them forever.”
H3. James Madison's Federalist No. 10, as discussed in the lecture: can you explain and appreciate it?
James Madison is suggesting that this new form of government would prove better for the people. Especially in stopping a certain “elite group” from being the puppet masters. He describes it as, “the violence of fraction.” I definitely agree and appreciate his vision.
H5. Write about any issue related to this week's lecture. Debate: Was it proper for the delegates to go beyond their authority to amend the Articles of Confederation, and instead propose a new constitution?
Whatever solution was brought to fix the Articles of confederation needed to be ratified by the states, the way the delegates created the solution is not relevant. That’s why they did it in secret. The Articles of Confederation had failed and something better needed to be established.
Kyle M.
