Articles of Confederation and Constitutional Compromises

Articles of Confederation

The first Constitution (structure and laws) of the United States

The States

Under the Articles of Confederation who had the authority in all matters?

Shay's Rebellion

Led by a former Revolutionary military captain, a revolt of farmers against the courts attempting to take their land due to debt.

New Jersey Plan

A plan suggesting equal representation for all states in the legislative branch (supports smaller states)

Legislative Branch

Branch of government that makes/passes laws

Executive Branch

Branch of government that enforces/carries out the laws

Judicial Branch

Branch of government that decides if laws are carried out fairly.

Senate

the upper house of Congress, consisting of 2 representatives from each state (100 members today)

House of Representatives

lower house of Congress based on state population size (435 members today)

Virginia Plan

A plan suggesting representation in Congress to be based on state population (supports larger states)

Great Compromise (Connecticut Plan)

A plan that combined the NJ Plan and VA Plan to create two houses for Congress

3/5 (three fifths) Compromise

60% of slaves in a state would be counted toward representation for the House of Representative and taxes. Dehumanizes Black Americans.

No Common Currency

Each state had different money which made trading difficult (AoC weakness)

One vote per state

No matter a state's population, they had only vote in Congress (AoC Weakness)

No power to tax

National government had no way to pay off their debt from the Revolutionary War or pay veteran soldiers for their service (AoC Weakness)

No judicial or executive branches

National laws were not enforced and the national government could not solve arguments between states (AoC weakness)

No control over commerce or trade between states

Many disputes occurred between state control over land and rivers. States could tax each other reducing trade and growth of the economy (AoC Weakness)

Representative

A person chosen/elected to speak on behalf of the people

Constitution of the United States

sets out the laws and principles of the government of the United States that replaced the Articles of Confederation

Northwest Ordinance

Achievement of the Articles of Confederation. It created a way for the new western territories to eventually join the US as equal states. Outlawed slavery in the new territories.

Ratification

Formal approval

James Madison

"Father of the Constitution". His idea for an effective government became the Virginia Plan, which was the basis for the Constitution. He was responsible for drafting most of the language of the Constitution.

Constitutional Convention

The meeting of state representatives in 1787 in Philadelphia called to revise the Articles of Confederation. Instead, it created a new plan of government, the US Constitution.

Currency

Coins and paper bills used as money

Amendment

A change in, or addition to, a constitution or law

Anti-Federalists

people who opposed the Constitution and wanted a bill of rights added

Federalists

supporters of the Constitution and a strong national government

Bill of Rights

first 10 additions to the Constitution for specific individual and state rights