US history

Confederation

A union of sovereign states or nations that cooperate for specific purposes.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, creating a loose confederation of states with a weak national government.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself or another state.

Land Ordinance

A law that established a framework for organizing and selling western lands.

Northwest Ordinance

A law that provided for the orderly creation of new states in the Northwest Territory.

Shays’ Rebellion

An armed uprising in 1786-1787 protesting economic injustices and government actions.

Virginia Plan

A proposal for a new constitution that called for a bicameral legislature with representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal for a new constitution that called for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.

Bicameral

A legislative body having two chambers or houses.

Unicameral

A legislative body having a single chamber.

Great Compromise

An agreement that created a bicameral legislature, balancing the interests of large and small states.

Federalists

Supporters of the proposed U.S. Constitution, advocating for a strong national government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the proposed U.S. Constitution, fearing a strong national government would threaten individual liberties.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing individual rights.

Judiciary Act

A law passed to establish the federal court system and its jurisdiction.

Whiskey Rebellion

A tax protest in the United States beginning in 1791, which tested the new national government's authority.

National Bank

A bank chartered by the federal government to serve as a depository for federal funds.

Strict Construction

The interpretation of the Constitution that emphasizes the literal and narrow meaning of the text.

Liberal Construction

The interpretation of the Constitution that allows for broader powers of government.

XYZ Affair

A diplomatic incident between France and the United States in 1797-1798 that led to an undeclared war.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws passed in 1798 that limited immigration and restricted speech against the government.

Nullification

The idea that states have the right to invalidate any federal law they deem unconstitutional.