A New Nation (First 14 Slides)

Articles of Confederation

First governing document of the United States.

State Power

States held significant authority under the Articles.

Shays's Rebellion

1786-1787 uprising by Massachusetts farmers.

Debt Crisis

Economic hardship leading to farmer unrest.

Daniel Shays

Leader of the rebellion against government.

Foreclosure

Legal process of reclaiming property due to debt.

Governor James Bowdoin

Ordered militia to suppress Shays's Rebellion.

Benjamin Lincoln

General who led militia against Shays's forces.

Pardons

Forgiveness granted to Shays and his followers.

Constitutional Convention

1787 meeting to address government weaknesses.

Philadelphia

Location where the Constitutional Convention took place.

James Madison

Key figure in drafting the Constitution.

Virginia Plan

Proposal for a strong federal government.

Three Branches of Government

Executive, legislative, and judicial branches proposed.

Congress

Legislative body divided into two houses.

Representation

Debate over how states should be represented.

New Jersey Plan

Proposal for equal representation per state.

Great Compromise

Combined Virginia and New Jersey Plans for Congress.

House of Representatives

Lower house based on state population.

Senate

Upper house with equal representation for states.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted three-fifths of slaves for representation.

Electoral College

System for electing the president.

Slave Trade Clause

Allowed slave trade until 1808.

Federal Government

Central authority established by the Constitution.

Rivalry Between States

Conflict due to imbalance of power.

National Discussion

Debate on reforming government post-Revolution.

Courthouse Blockade

Farmers prevented judges from issuing foreclosures.

Revolutionary War Veterans

Many farmers involved in Shays's Rebellion.

Job Shattuck

Accomplice of Daniel Shays in rebellion.

James Wilson

Advocated for public representation in Congress.

Roger Sherman

Proposed compromise on congressional representation.

Electoral Votes

Based on House of Representatives seats.

Southern Delegates

Concerned about slavery and representation issues.

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments.

Constitution

Document establishing the framework of U.S. government.

Treason

Crime of betraying one's country.

Militia

Local armed forces called to suppress rebellion.

Judicial Branch

Interprets laws and administers justice.

Legislative Branch

Makes laws and controls budget.

Executive Branch

Enforces laws and manages government operations.

National Debt

Money owed by the government after the war.

Compromise

Agreement reached by differing parties.

Controversial Issues

Debates over executive power and slavery.

Founding Fathers

Key figures in establishing U.S. government.

Constitutional Reform

Changes proposed to improve government structure.

Political Division

Disagreements among states on governance.