A Crossroads Resource

Unit V: The Ambiguous Democracy in America: 1800-1848

Question/Problem 2: How did individuals and states challenge the power of the federal government in the young nation?

Student Resource D:
Challenges to the Federal Government

Background

In 1812 the United States was again at war with Great Britain. Many Americans opposed the war, especially those in New England whose livelihood depended on trade. As the war went on, protestors became more vocal and criticism of the government's ha ndling of the war increased. Representatives from five New England states met in December, 1814 in Hartford, Connecticut. While some members of the Convention suggested that New England secede, others suggested that changes be made to the Constitution. The following are some of the resolutions approved at the Convention.

Resolutions Approved at the Hartford Convention

That it be and hereby is recommended to the said Legislatures, to authorize an immediate and earnest application to be made to the government of the United States, requesting their consent to some arrangement, whereby the said states may, separately or in concert, be empowered to assume upon themselves the defense of their territory against the enemy; and a reasonable portion of the taxes, collected within said States, may be paid into the respective treasuries thereof, and appropriated to the paymen t of the balance due said states, and to the future defense of the same. The amount so paid into the said treasuries to be credited, and the disbursements made as aforesaid to be charged to the United States....
No new state shall be admitted into the Union by Congress, in virtue of the power granted by the constitution, without the concurrence of two thirds of both houses....
Congress shall not make or declare war, or authorize acts of hostility against any foreign nation, without the concurrence of two thirds of both houses, except such acts of hostility be in defense of the territories of the United States when actually invaded....
The same person shall not be elected president of the United States a second time; nor shall the president be elected from the same state two terms in succession....

Henry Steele Commager, Documents of American History, pp. 210-211.

Directions: Using all the information shown above answer questions 1-4.

1. What were the reasons for the conflict?

2. How did the representatives at the Hartford Convention challenge the power of the federal government?

3. What specific powers of the federal government did the representatives at the Hartford Convention challenge?

4. How did the representatives at the Hartford Convention view the power of the federal government in this conflict?

Use your textbook or other resources to answer the following question.

5. What was the outcome of the challenges made at the Hartford Convention?

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