Test: We the People - Unit 2

Test over lessons 7 through 10 in "We the People."

Great Compromise

An agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention that established a two-house legislature, balancing the interests of both large and small states by creating the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Senate

The upper house of the U.S. Congress, consisting of two representatives from each state.

House of Representatives

The lower house of the U.S. Congress, consisting of representatives based on state population.

Abolish

To formally put an end to something.

Slave Trade

The buying and selling of humans for forced labor, primarily associated with the buying of people in Africa and selling them to landowners in the American South.

Three-fifths Clause

A constitutional provision that counted each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.

The American Civil War

A conflict between Northern states and Southern states from 1861 to 1865, primarily over issues of slavery and states' rights. It resulted in the preservation of the Union between North and South as well as the abolition of slavery.

Fair

Impartial and just, without favoritism or discrimination.

Equal

Being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value.

Constitutional Convention

Another name for the Philadelphia Convention given by modern-day historians. It was the gathering of delegates in 1787 to draft the Constitution of the United States.

Interests

A specified common concern of a person or group of people.

Federal

In the United States, relating to the national government.

Preamble

The introductory statement of the Constitution that outlines its purposes and guiding principles.

Articles of the Constitution

The sections of the Constitution that detail the framework of government, including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Constitutional Amendments

Changes or additions to the U.S. Constitution that modify its original text or laws.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantee individual liberties and protect citizens from tyranny.

Roger Sherman

Founder and architect of the Great Compromise, which helped shape the legislative branch of the U.S. government.

George Washington

1st President of the United States and commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Taxes

Required payments to a government.

Tyranny

Cruel and oppressive government rule.

Slave

A person who is the legal property of another person and is forced to obey them against their will.

Natural Rights

The idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property.

Consent to be Governed

The idea that government derives its authority from the people it governs.

Social Contract

An agreement between the people and their government signifying their consent to be governed.

Direct Democracy

A form of government in which citizens rule directly and participate in all aspects of government.

Representative Democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions and laws for all people.

Constitution

A set of rules and laws that explain how a government is organized and how it will run.

Limit

A point beyond which something cannot go.

Shay’s Rebellion

An armed protest in November 1786 by more than 1000 angry farmers against the state of Massachusetts. It showed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

A plan for adding new states to the United States. Allowed people in the Northwest Territories to organize their own governments.

Philadelphia Convention

A meeting in 1787 where delegates from twelve U.S. states convened to address the problems of the Articles of Confederation, ultimately leading to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

James Madison

A key Framer and the fourth President of the United States, known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his role in drafting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Benjamin Franklin

An influential Founder, Framer, inventor, and diplomat. Key in securing French support during the American Revolutionary War and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Articles of Confederation

The first plan for government in the United States. Set up a loose union of states with equal powers and a weak national government.

Confederation

A union of sovereign statesthat work together for common goals while maintaining their independence.

Delegate

An individual chosen or elected to represent a group at a convention or conference.

Framer

A delegate involved in drafting the Constitution of the United States at the Philadelphia Convention.

Inalienable

Something, like a person’s natural rights, that cannot be taken away or removed.

Congress

The legislative body of the United States government, consisting of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Revolutionary War

A conflict from 1775 to 1783 in which the Thirteen Colonies fought for independence from British rule.

Consensus

General agreement among a group or community, often reached through discussion and compromise. Typically, the consensus must be reached unanimously or with minimal dissent.