Chapter 6 Vocabulary

James Madison

One of the major authors of the Constitution, and is known as the Father of the Constitution. He was later elected president in 1808, and served for two terms.

Alexander Hamilton

One of the authors of the Federalist Papers. He favored a strong central government. He was George Washington’s Secretary of the Treasury.

Framers of the Constitution

In the summer of 1787, 55 delegates met in Philadelphia to create a federal constitution. As a group they were wealthy white, male, educated and most were heavily involved in state governments.

Federalists

Favored a strong central government, and a Constitution to improve on the Articles of Confederation. They were most common along the Atlantic coast and in the large cities. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay

Anti-Federalists

Argued that the proposed Constitution contained no protection of individual rights, and that it gave the federal government too much power. They tended to be small farmers and settlers on the western frontier. James Henry, Mason, John Adams

The Federalists Papers

Series of essays, later published as a book, written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. They argued effectively in favor of Constitution.

Bill of Rights; amendments

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, added to protect the rights of individual citizens, and adopted in 1781.

Washington’s Farewell Address

In late 1796, George Washington write this address for publication in newspapers. It warned Americans not to get involved in European affairs, not to make permanent alliances in foreign affairs, not to form political parties, and not to fall into sectionalism.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Acts by the Federalists, which authorized the president to deport dangerous aliens, and detain enemy aliens in wartime. Made it illegal for newspapers editors to criticize the president or Congress.

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

In 1799, two states passed resolutions that argued states had the right to nullify laws passed at the federal level.

National bank

This was part of Federalist Alexander Hamilton’s economic plan. He favored a bank for depositing government funds, assuming state debts, and printing banknotes that could provide the basis for a stable US currency.

Tariffs; excise taxes

This was part of Federalist Alexander Hamilton’s economic plan. High tariffs were placed on imported goods to help new and developing industries.

Treaty of Greenville

In this treaty in 1795, the American Indians surrendered claims to the Ohio Valley and promised to open it to settlement.

Constitutional Convention

In the summer of 1787, 55 delegates from the thirteen states, excluding Rhode Island, met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The purpose was to create the Constitution, which would replace the Articles of Confederation.

Checks and balances

So that one branch of government could not dominate, the Constitution divided the government into three branches; 1) executive branch led by the president, 2) legislative branch consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives, 3) judicial branch led by the Supreme Court.

Virginia Plan

James Madison’s proposal at the Constitutional Convention, which favored the large states.

New Jersey Plan

The counter proposal to the Virginia plan at the Constitutional Convention. It favored the small states.

Great Compromise

The compromise solution that was adopted at the Constitutional Convention. It was created by Roger Sherman of Connecticut, it provided for a two-house Congress. In the Senate, states would have two senators each, but in the House of Representatives, each state would be represented according to the size of its population.

House of Representatives

Part of the legislative branch, representation would be based on population of each state.

Senate

Part of the legislative branch, there would be two senators from each state.

Three Fifths Compromise

At the Constitutional Convention, it was agreed that each slave would be counted as three-fifths of a person for the purpose of determining a state’s level of taxation and representation.

Electoral college system

This system would determine the president of the United States. Each state was given a number of electors equal to the total of their number of representatives and senators. These electors would then vote to determine the president.

Congress

The legislative branch consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Cabinet

George Washington organized new departments of the executive (law-enforcing) branch. These appointments had to be confirmed by the Senate.

Judiciary Act (1789)

In 1789, this act established a Supreme Court with one chief justice and five associate justices. The Supreme Court was able to rule on the constitutionality of state courts. It provided for a system of thirteen district courts and three courts of appeals.