American History Homework Three Answers - Student Twelve

1. Identify two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Under the Articles of Confederation, nine out of the thirteen states’ approval was needed in order for a law to be passed. This made for a virtually powerless national government.

The articles of Confederation did not give the Congress the right to impose taxes, so even the few powers that the federal government did have (the power to declare war for example) were essentially impossible for it to practice.

Superb. Will use in model answers.

2. Identify the first three Articles of the Constitution and what each Article establishes.

The first three amendments of the Constitution establish the three branches of the United States’ government and lay out their responsibilities:

Article I established the legislative branch to makes the laws.

Article II established the executive branch, to enforce the laws.

Article III established the judicial branch to interpret the laws.

Correct.

3. Explain what you like most about George Washington.

The appeal of power has been the downfall of mankind since the beginning of time. Eve ate the forbidden fruit upon hearing the promise that she would have the power to know good and evil. Throughout history countless potentially good rulers have fallen into the trappings of the appeal of power (for example, Saul of the Old Testament). Many kings have had masses of people put to death out of the fear of losing power (King Herod, for example, when he massacred the babies in Bethlehem). Yet George Washington conquered the evil that few have been able to resist; he turned down power for the sake of the greater good, forgoing kingship, a third term as president and the opportunity to take revenge (as in the case of “Citizen Gent”). Washington’s exceptional resistance of this common weakness played an essential part in making our nation exceptional.

Tremendous answer. Will also add to model answers.

4. Describe the most important invention of the 1790s, and its political impact.

Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in 1973, revolutionizing the economy of the South. The cotton gin was a machine that could do the work of fifty men. This allowed for the cotton industry to flourish, creating a booming economy in the Southern states and thus giving them much more political power. This newfound political and economic couth for the South was bad news for slaves. It was also later an indirect cause of the Civil War, as the South’s economic stability made separation from the Union a reasonable option.

Excellent.

5. Explain the political view expressed by this week's cartoon, and which side of what issue the cartoonist likely represents.

This cartoon depicts the federal government as the foundation for a strong building, and each state as an essential pillar in that foundation. A hand (presumably the hand of God) is shown placing Massachusetts into the foundation. The cartoonist was probably a Federalist, in favor of a unified nation under a stronger federal government, rather than estranged states joined together only loosely by a weak federal government.

Right, you could have also added that the pillars represent the order of states as they ratified the Constitution. (Minus 1).

6. Describe two significant achievements of The Northwest Ordinance.

The Northwest Ordinance effectively established the land west of the thirteen states as part of the United States and “off limits” to Europe. It was one of the first important moves that America made in the international political scene.

The Northwest Ordinance also set out guidelines for a territory to become a state, thus creating grounds for the United States to grow in the future.

Good.

7. Describe what you think was most significant about John Adams' presidency.

John Adams’ signed the Sedition Act, which made it a crime to criticize the president. This was clearly unconstitutional as it violated the First Amendment, which calls for free speech. Yet this was a very significant part of our history. In many ways, the interpretation and enforcement or lack thereof of the First Amendment has always defined American politics and history. The way that Adams’ opponents effectively reacted to and severed Adams’ move set a precedent for the future the First Amendment.

Not the "future" First Amendment. The First Amendment was already in place, but the Adams Administration simply ignored and violated it! (Minus 1).

Good answers. Score: 68/70.--Aschlafly 16:58, 3 October 2008 (EDT)