APUSH Wilson Vocab Period 3 26-50

Shay's Rebellion

Armed uprising of debt-ridden Massachusetts farmers protesting foreclosures, exposing the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Constitutional Convention

1787 meeting in Philadelphia where delegates scrapped the Articles of Confederation to draft the U.S. Constitution.

Great Compromise

Agreement combining the Virginia and New Jersey plans to create a bicameral legislature (Senate with equal state representation, House based on population).

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement at the Constitutional Convention counting three-fifths of the enslaved population for representation and direct taxation.

Federalists

Supporters of the U.S. Constitution who favored a strong central government and strong economic planning.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the U.S. Constitution who feared a strong central government and demanded a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.

The Federalist Papers

Collection of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay encouraging the ratification of the Constitution.

Bill of Rights

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

George Washington

Commander of the Continental Army and the first President of the United States, establishing key presidential precedents.

Alexander Hamilton

First Secretary of the Treasury who created the national bank, established public credit, and championed a strong federal government.

Whiskey Rebellion

Protest by western Pennsylvania farmers against a federal excise tax on whiskey, which Washington suppressed, demonstrating new federal authority.

Jay's Treaty

Agreement with Britain that avoided war and settled post-Revolution disputes, though controversial in America for not stopping British impressment.

Pinckney's Treaty

Treaty with Spain that granted the U.S. free navigation of the Mississippi River and the right of deposit in New Orleans.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws passed by Federalists under John Adams restricting foreign immigrants and criminalizing public criticism of the federal government.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Statements drafted by Jefferson and Madison arguing that states could nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.

Thomas Jefferson

Primary author of the Declaration of Independence, Democratic-Republican leader, and 3rd U.S. President.

Benjamin Franklin

American Enlightenment polymath, diplomat, and founding father who helped secure the crucial French alliance during the Revolution.

John Adams

Leading revolutionary voice, Federalist, and 2nd U.S. President who navigated the Quasi-War with France.

James Madison

Known as the "Father of the Constitution," author of Federalist essays, and drafter of the Bill of Rights.

Patrick Henry

Virginia Anti-Federalist famous for declaring "Give me liberty, or give me death!" during the Revolution.

Abigail Adams

Wife of John Adams who famously urged her husband to "remember the ladies" when drafting early American laws.

Samuel Adams

Founder of the Sons of Liberty who organized colonial protests and Committees of Correspondence against British policies.

Marquis de Lafayette

French nobleman who served as a general under George Washington and helped secure vital French support for the U.S.

Alexander Hamilton

First Secretary of the Treasury who created the national bank and championed a strong central government.

William Pitt

British Prime Minister during the Seven Years' War whose military strategy secured victory against France.