User:JeevesMkII/rational-homework

1. Identify two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. i) Article eight stated that debt incurred to pay for the common defence of the confederation was to be distributed amongst each state weighted by the value of the property each held. However, at the same time article five only entitled each state to a single vote in the determination of how such funds collected should be distributed. This situation arose as an inadequate compromise between the smaller states who wanted equal representation in the congress, and the larger who wanted greater representation as they shouldered the lion's share of the burden of national defence. Congress only had it in its power to order states to pay sums in to the common treasury, not to order how such sums should be acquired. This situation led to many states fulfilling their obligations to the confederation by printing money rather than through taxation and loans. This inevitably resulted in considerable depreciation of the currency leading to John Jay, the president of the congress, to make an impassioned plea to the states to "Leave us not therefore without supplies nor let in that flood of evils which would follow from such a neglect. It would be an event most grateful to our enemies and depend upon it they will redouble their artifices and industry to compass it."

This inequity was considerably exacerbated when northern states such as Rhode Island were unable to pay their share of the national defence due to being overrun by British troops and were thus excused. This increased the burden on the larger states such as Virginia, already paying the largest sum, a fact that caused much resentment.

ii) Article four allowed for free movement of peoples between states, with some minor exceptions. This caused some interesting disputes between states. In effect, although the United States was not yet a democracy, it enabled citizens to vote with their feet. For example, Maryland carried on a bitter dispute with Virginia over the traffic of skilled citizens from the former to latter, especially when Virginia refused to relinquish its western land claims. Maryland argued that such claims would allow Virginia to lower taxes and thus be a far more attractive prospect to citizens than their own state. This amongst other factors led to Maryland being the last state to ratify the articles of confederation almost a year after the last of the other states had done so.

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

Article one: That the resulting federation would be known as the "The United States of America." Article two: That states shall retain any and all powers not expressly delegated to the congress by the articles. Article three: That the purpose of the confederation was for the general interest and defence of the states.

3. Explain what you like most about George Washington.

The thing I like most about George Washington was how appallingly, comically bad he was as a military commander. (TODO)

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

By far the most important invention of the 1790s was the telegraph. While optical signalling had been used on ships for as long as professional navies had existed. Indeed at the time signalling had evolved to such complexity that ships of the line carried lockers of a number of signal flags and systems were in place that signals were repeated for the benefit of other ships of a fleet who may have difficulty seeing the original signal if it was obscured by foul weather, obstacles or distance.

However, on land messages were still relayed by messenger on horseback meaning that a message could travel at the very most approximately 60 kilometres per hour. The political turmoil in revolutionary France demanded a far faster method of communication than this, so in 1792 Claude Chappe established his first telegraph line between Paris and Lille. This telegraphy system could transmit a typical message the distance of 230 kilometres in just half an hour, or at an average ground speed of 460 kilometres per hour, far faster than a man on horseback.

The political consequences of this were far reaching. It revolutionised the conduct of warfare, and indeed throughout the later Napoleonic wars telegraph towers were as much military objectives as bridges and defensive works. Napoleon himself recognised the importance of swift communications and carried with his headquarters a portable telegraphy tower to ensure them.

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

6. Describe two significant achievements of The Northwest Ordinance.

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

These questions require answers that are a bit longer than the answers above. Answer three out of the following questions (in addition to the questions above):

H1. Explain how George Washington's Farewell Address is relevant today.

H2. Do you think the Anti-Federalists had some good points? Explain.

H3. State your view on any discussion topic or mystery concerning the period 1780-1800.

H4. Contrast the handling of Shays' Rebellion with the handling of the Whiskey Rebellion, and whether you think a president is necessary.

H5. Describe the response of Jefferson and Madison to the Alien & Sedition Acts. Do you agree with their approach?