U.S. Government Chapter 4 Key Figures, Compromises, and Weaknesses

Alexander Hamilton

Strong central gov; wrote Federalist Papers.

John Jay

Helped write Federalist Papers, 1st Chief Justice.

Thomas Jefferson

Wrote Declaration of Independence, supported states' rights.

John Locke

Inspired natural rights: "Life, Liberty, Property."

James Madison

"Father of the Constitution."

George Mason

Wanted a Bill of Rights; refused to sign Constitution.

Roger Sherman

Created Great Compromise (2-house Congress).

George Washington

Led the Convention; 1st U.S. President.

First Representative Assembly

Virginia House of Burgesses (1619).

English Influences

Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, Parliament.

Boycott

Refusing to buy goods in protest.

Loyalists

Colonists loyal to Britain.

Unalienable Rights

Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness.

Daniel Shays / Shays' Rebellion

Farmer revolt showing Articles were weak.

Constitutional Convention

Meeting in 1787 to fix the Articles.

Anti-Federalists' Concerns

Too much federal power; no Bill of Rights.

King George III

British king during Revolution; taxed colonies.

Great Compromise

2-house Congress: Senate + House.

Constitution Signed

September 17, 1787.

Famous Anti-Federalists

Patrick Henry, George Mason.

Famous Federalists

Hamilton, Madison, Jay.

First U.S. Capital

New York City.

Intolerable Acts

Harsh British laws punishing Boston.

3/5 Compromise

3 of 5 slaves count for population/taxes.

First Continental Congress

1774, discussed British taxes, unity.

John Hancock

Big signature on Declaration; President of Congress.

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. gov; too weak—no power to tax.

Federalist Papers

Essays urging ratification of Constitution.

Second Continental Congress Goals

Independence, army, Declaration.

The Enlightenment

Era of reason; ideas on liberty and equality.

Social Contract Theory

People give power to gov for protection.

3 Major Compromises

Great, 3/5, Commerce/Slave Trade.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

No power to tax, no national army, no executive (president), no national courts, hard to pass laws (needed 9 of 13 states).