American History Homework Three Answers - Student Twenty

JonathanR

1. Identify two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. One weakness was that in trying to avoid having a strong central government, they went in the opposite direction and created a very weak one. Congress had power to raise an army and navy, make commercial treaties, borrow money, control currency, and levy assessments against the states but ultimately the states had all the power and could choose to ignore Congress’ requests. Another weakness was that we were left vulnerable to the rest of the world, because we didn’t have a strong government, and the states were fending for themselves. Britain was imposing trade restriction on America, and we couldn’t do anything about it.

Excellent!

2. Identify the first three Articles of the Constitution, and what each Article establishes. Article 1: All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. This set up the Legislative Branch of our government. Article 2: The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice-President chosen for the same Term, be elected. This set up the Executive Branch of our government. Article 3: The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office. This set up the Judicial Branch of our government.

Superb, though I'd prefer it in your own words.

3. Explain what you like most about George Washington. George Washington was so respected that he could have been king (imagine that), but he gave up that power for the good of the country.

Good.

4. Describe the most important invention of the 1790s, and its political impact. The cotton gin, invented by Eli Whitney, drastically reduced the need for slaves to separate the cotton seeds from the cotton, though they probably didn’t get rid of their slaves. It gave the South a large amount of economic power, and in turn, made the South the world’s supplier for cotton. This taste of power was one of the factors that lead to the Civil War. Thanks, Eli.

5. Explain the political view expressed by this week's cartoon, and which side of what issue the cartoonist likely represents. The columns representing Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut are in position, since they had already ratified the Constitution. Massachusetts is being put into position because they are about to ratify the Constitution. It gives the illustration that the coming together of these states in ratifying the Constitution is like the construction of a building. The strength of the building increases as the pillars are set in place. The cartoon was probably drawn around the time Massachusetts ratified the Constitution in 1788.

Superb. Will part of this as a model answer.

6. Describe two significant achievements of The Northwest Ordinance. The Northwest Ordinance set up rules for territories north of the Ohio River to become states: population requirements, republican form of government, and slavery was prohibited. Another achievement was that it protected the people from the government taking their land without compensation.

Excellent.

7. Describe what you think was most significant about John Adams' presidency. When Adams’ instituted the Alien & Sedition Acts, Jefferson and Madison took action by writing the Kentucky and Virginia state resolutions to declare the Alien & Sedition Acts unconstitutional. This also set the stage for the Civil War by providing the states with a basis for trying to nullify other federal laws. (The best part of Adams’ presidency is that he only served for one term.)

Good analysis, and wit!

Excellent answers. Perfect: 70/70.--Aschlafly 12:51, 4 October 2008 (EDT)