Study Guide: Creating the Constitution

A comprehensive vocabulary review of key terms, historical compromises, government branches, and concepts from the Creating the Constitution study guide.

Shay's Rebellion

A historical uprising studied in Lesson 1 that serves as a key example demonstrating the "weakness" of the Articles of Confederation.

Philadelphia Convention of 1787

The convention where delegates assembled with an original goal and negotiated compromises to resolve major disputes over governance, representation, and slavery.

Articles of Confederation

The initial framework of government whose creators deliberately established a weak federal/central government, resulting in limited central powers and state-created problems.

Virginia Plan

A proposal presented at the convention that reflected what the large states wanted regarding representation in Congress.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal presented at the convention that reflected what the small states wanted regarding representation in Congress.

Connecticut (Great) Compromise

The compromise reached at the Constitutional Convention that resolved the disagreement between large states and small states over representation in Congress.

The Three-Fifths Compromise

The agreement between northern and southern states at the Constitutional Convention that determined how to count slaves.

Trade and Commerce Compromise

The compromise resolving conflicts between northern and southern states regarding the slave trade, runaway slaves, and commerce.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who developed and presented arguments in favor of its ratification.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who presented arguments against its ratification.

Federalist Papers

A collection of written arguments published to persuade the states to ratify the Constitution.

The Constitution

The foundational legal framework establishing the branches of the federal government, their qualifications, checks and balances, and requirements for ratification.

Congress

The legislative branch of the federal government, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which holds powers including responding to presidential vetoes.

The House of Representatives

A legislative body within Congress whose members must satisfy defined constitutional qualifications to serve as a Representative.

The Senate

A legislative body within Congress whose members must satisfy defined constitutional qualifications to serve as a Senator.

Executive Branch

The branch of the federal government led by the President, who is elected through a constitutional process and possesses the authority to veto laws.

The Judicial Branch

One of the three separate branches established under the federal government to administer justice and participate in checks and balances.

Separation of Powers

The constitutional principle dividing federal governmental power among three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Checks and Balances

Provisions allowing each branch of the federal government to limit the actions of other branches, such as Congress overriding or responding to a presidential veto.

Bill of Rights

A foundational addition to the Constitution, studied in Lesson 8, that lists and protects 10 specific rights.