Articles of Confederation: agreement among the 13 founding states that established the United States of America as a confederation of sovereign states and served as its first constitution. The new Constitution provided for a much stronger national government with a chief executive (the president), courts, and taxing powers
Shay’s Rebellion: armed uprising that took place in central and western Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787. The rebellion was named after Daniel Shays, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War and one of the rebel leaders.
Virginia Plan: proposal by Virginia delegates for a bicameral legislative branch. The plan was drafted by James Madison while he waited for a quorum to assemble at the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
New Jersey Plan: delegates to the Constitutional Convention, led by William Paterson (1745–1806) proposed an alternative to the Virginia Plan on June 15, 1787. The New Jersey Plan was designed to protect the security and power of the small states by limiting each state to one vote in Congress, as under the Articles of Confederation.
“Great Compromise”: provided a dual system of congressional representation. In the House of Representatives each state would be assigned a number of seats in proportion to its population. In the Senate, all states would have the same number of seats.
Constitutional Convention w/ Slave Trade: allowing the slave trade to continue until 1808
Principles of the Constitution: Popular Sovereignty - People are the source of the governments. Separation of Powers - Each of the three branches of government has its own responsibilities. Checks and Balances - Each branch of government holds some control over the other two branches. Limited Government - The constitution limits the actions of government by specifically listing powers it does and does not have. Republicanism - The people pick their political representatives. Federalism - In this government system,...