Chapter 9 Essay from Quizlet Flash Cards

Chapter 9

1. Revolutionary American ideas of natural human rights, equality and freedom from government tyranny affected development in the immediate post-Revolutionary period by making it impossible for a strong federal government to be created. The colonists did not trust a strong federal government that could easily be corrupted. Since the colonies fought to get out of a federal government, they did not want to create another one, so, congress was forced to make a weak federal government called the Articles of Confederation. This was created just for show. It gave no power to the government, but gave all power to the central governments of the colonies.

2. Women gained more power and had a more important role during the revolution. While they were still primary caregivers, they also became responsible for raising the next generation of "republicans." This concept made them much more important because they were seen as carriers of the ideals of the revolution .African Americans liked the idea of equality but the political system was still far from legal. During the revolution, African Americans fought on both sides. Ultimately, many revolutionaries began to question the morality of slavery and whether or not it actually fit the ideas of the revolution. The revolution, was after all, preaching liberties and rights, and many slave owners actually set their slaves free because they believed that keeping slaves was infringing on the ideas of the revolution.

3. American colonists were afraid of a federal government and just wanted a weak government. The Articles of Confederation was drafted during the years 1776 and 1777, while the colonists were still fighting for independence, the Articles of Confederation created a weak national government with most of the governmental powers retained by the states. The Articles provided no separation of branches. There was no president or any other independent executive, nor was there a federal judicial branch....