AP U.S. History
Jessica Bender
ZINN CHAPTER 5: Part II -- pp. 88-101
Study Questions
1. What is Charles Beard’s thesis in An Economic Interpretation of the
Constitution vis-à-vis the Founding Fathers and the creation of the
Constitution?
Charles Beard’s thesis included that the rich folks had a choice of two things to
help themselves: to completely control the government or have control over the laws
that the government rules. Therefore, what concerns the founding fathers and the
constitution, Beard had quoted “that most of them were lawyers and were extremely
wealthy. He found out that most men who had written the constitution had a direct ties t
the economic interest that needed a strong government; they needed this for
manufacturers, moneylenders, slave owners, bonds keepers, and more. Everyone
needed a strong government as well as a good economy in order to survive.
2. What was the source of resentment in western towns of Massachusetts against
the legislature in Boston?
The source of resentment in western towns of Massachusetts against the
legislature in Boston was because the citizens couldn’t be in the state office without
being extremely wealthy, due to the constitution of 1780 raising property qualifications
for voting. Also, the legislature hadn’t been issuing paper money, so it could be easier
for farmers in debt to pay off their debt.
3. How did disgruntled western farmers seek to improve their shaky economic
situation?
The disgruntled western farmers seek to improve their shaky economic situation,
they had became armed and had formed illegal conventions to oppose the legis;ature
created for the west.
4. What was Daniel Shays’s objective?
Daniel Shays’s objective was to bring all the disgruntled western farmers
together to fight against the legislature and to bring upon justice to the farmers.
5. What was Thomas Jefferson’s view of popular uprisings? Contrast his view
with those of the established leadership.
Thomas Jefferson’s view of the uprisings were very positive. He thought that
they helped bring together the people for the better. But other leaders thought they
would tear the people apart instead of together.
AP U.S. History
Jessica Bender
6. Why does Zinn state that democracy’s problem in post-Revolutionary America
was not primarily due to Constitutional limitations on voting?
Zinn states that democracy’s problem in post-Revolutionary America was not
primarily due to the Constitutional limitations on voting because the problems were
more towards the social classes. The difference between the rich and the poor was
more troubling than the limitations on voting.
7. How is Zinn critical of Madison’s argument in Federalist X.
Zinn is critical of Madison’s argument in Federalists X because Madison thinks
that the government was created only to maintain peace in America. But Zinn thinks it
is more than what Madison is saying.
8. Why does Zinn assert that despite party differences among Federalists and
Democratic-Republicans they were both fundamentally similar?
Zinn says that federalists and democratic-republicans are both fundamentally
similar because both sides wanted a stable government. And both believed that it
would be more stable if instead of one party there were two agreeing on plans.
9. How does Zinn characterize the Constitution’s compromises?
Zinn characterizes the constitution’s compromise by different ideas from the
North and south. The North wanted economic laws while the South wanted laws
regarding their slaves.
10. How does Zinn refute one of Beard’s critics, Robert E. Brown?
Zinn refutes one of Beard’s critics, Robert E. Brown, because Brown says tht
property should be owned by the American. But Zinn thinks that this is wrong because
maqny people ownb land, and there are others who own more land than others do.
11. How does the Constitution illustrate the complexity of the American system?
The constitution illustrates the complexity of the American system by helping the
middle and wealthy class. But of course the government helps the wealthier portion of
America more.
12. How does the Constitution’s contract clause or tax clause favor rich over
poor?
The Constitution’s contract clause or tax clause favor rich over the poor because
they knew the rich would be more likely to pay taxes. But more taxes were created for
the poor than for the rich.
AP U.S. History
Jessica Bender
13. How does Zinn argue the First Amendment is not as stable as one might
assume?
Zinn argued the first Amendment is not stable as on might assume because the
government doesn’t care about the First Amendment if people are rioting against them.
So Zinn thinks that the First Amendment is silly since you can still go to prison for
speaking out about the government of president.
14. How does Zinn contrast the government’s enforcement of the First
Amendment and the power to tax?
Zinn contrasts the government’s enforcement of the first Amendment and the
power to tax because they are basically the same government as they had in England.
If people spoke out they were put in prison, and the taxes were the same.
15. How does Zinn refute Bernard Bailyn’s view of the creation of the
Constitution.
Zinn refutes Bernard Bailyn’s view of the creation of constitution was that it was
only created to help them and not the actual people of America.