U.S History Vocab #1

Constitutional Era(1786 - 1800)

the time period in which the U.S. experimented with two forms of government

Articles of Confederation(1781 - 1789)

Written by John Dickinson, First national government for the U.S., proved to be too weak, replaced by the U.S. Constitution

Constitution of the U.S.(1789 - present)

The supreme law of the land, it is the framework for the organization of the U.S. government, mainly written by James Madison

Constitutional Convention(1787)

A meeting of 55 men held in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, but they ended up creating the U.S. Constitution, all states but Rhode Island attended

Three-Fifths Compromise(1787)

3 out of 5 slaves would be counted for representation in the House of Representatives as well as for tax purposes

Checks and Balances

Each branch has the power to check the other two branches to make sure they are not abusing those powers given to them

George Washington(1732-1799

President of the Constitutional Convention, first president of the U.S., plantation owner, commander of the Continental Army

James Madison(1751-1836)

Father of the Constitution, author of the VA. Plan and the Bill of Rights, 4th president of the U.S., helped to write the Federalist Papers

Virginia Plan(1787)

Written by James Madison, bicameral legislature with membership based on population, 3 levels of government (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial)

New Jersey Plan(1787)

Written by William Paterson, unicameral legislature, each state has one vote, 3 levels of government (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial)

Bill of Rights(1791 - present)

Written by James Madison, the 1st 10 amendments to the Constitution, a list of rights guaranteed to all U.S. citizens

Federalist(1789-1815)

James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton (leaders); for the Constitution, wrote the Federalists Papers, believed in a strong national government which shared some powers with the states, no bill of rights necessary

pro-ratification

for ratification of the Constitution

Anti-Federalist(1787 - 1790)

Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, and DeWitt Clinton (leaders); believed in a weak national government, states have more power, bill of rights necessary to protect the people's rights

anti-ratification

against ratification of the Constitution

Connecticut Compromise(1787)

AKA the Great Compromise; written by Roger Sherman, bicameral legislature, Senate - 2 votes per state, House of Representatives - representation based on population, 3 levels of government (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial)

Virginia Declaration of Rights(1776)

written by George Mason, A document that stated every person has basic human rights that the government cannot take away

George Mason(1725-1792)

Author of the VA.Declaration of Rights, helped write the VA. Constitution, the French used his document to write their Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom(1786)

Written by Thomas Jefferson, a document that allows for freedom of religion and denies an established church in VA, (basis for the 1st Amendment)

Thomas Jefferson(1743-1826)

Author, statesmen, inventor, 3rd president of the U.S., author of the Declaration of Independence and the VA. Statute of Religious Freedom, founder of the University of VA.