Forming the New Republic
You should be familiar with the following topics for your exam:
- The continuing debate between those favoring a stronger national government and those desiring to leave mostly all of the governing authority with the new independent states
- The economic situation for the United States and the conflicts caused by it
- Events, debates, and compromises at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia
- The leading statesmen at the Philadelphia Convention and what systems of government they offered
- How the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches of government work
- The ratification process that took place from 1787 through 1790
- The Bill of Rights and how it was added to the Constitution to protect individual liberties
- The primary members of President Washington’s first Cabinet and how these individuals interacted to shape the first administration
- Controversial decisions Washington had to make as first President