Unit 2: Creating a New Nation (1777–1791) - The Articles of Confederation & The Constitution

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, people, compromises, and documents from Unit 2: The Articles of Confederation and The Constitution.

Confederation

A group of states that join together but keep the majority of their power.

Constitutional Convention

A meeting held in Philadelphia from May to September 1787 where 55 delegates gathered initially to revise the Articles of Confederation, but ended up drafting a completely new Constitution.

Virginia Plan

A plan proposing that representation in the legislature be determined by the population of each state, supported by larger states.

New Jersey Plan

A plan proposing equal representation for each state regardless of population, supported by smaller states seeking equal power.

Great Compromise

An agreement that settled the conflict between the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan by creating a bicameral legislature: a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate with equal representation.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement to count three-fifths of the enslaved population for determining state representation and direct taxes, while giving enslaved people no political or voting rights.

Payments “in kind”

Paying for goods or services with other goods instead of money, used during the Revolutionary War when currency was scarce.

War bonds

Loans given by individuals to the government to help finance war expenses during the Revolutionary War.

Federalism

A system of government where power is shared between the national government and state governments, preventing power from being concentrated in one level.

Republic

A government in which citizens rule through elected representatives who make decisions without a king.

Popular sovereignty

The principle that government exists and functions only with the consent of the governed, meaning political power resides with the people.

Separation of powers

The division of government into three distinct branches (legislative, executive, and judicial), each possessing unique and equal powers to prevent any single branch from controlling the whole government.

Checks and balances

A system among the three branches of government designed to limit power, prevent abuse, and protect citizens' rights.

Ratification

The formal approval process for the Constitution, requiring the consent of 9 of the 13 states to take effect.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for carrying out and enforcing laws passed by Congress.

Electoral college

A system established by the Constitution in which designated electors formally choose the president and vice president.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government that creates and passes national laws through elected representatives.

Congress

The national legislative body of the United States, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate, responsible for making federal laws, approving taxes, and allocating spending.

House of Representatives

The chamber of Congress in which state representation is apportioned based on each state's population.

Senate

The chamber of Congress where every state has equal representation, consisting of two senators per state regardless of population.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws, ensuring they are applied fairly and adhere to the Constitution.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States, with the authority to review the Constitution and judge whether laws or government actions are constitutional.

Shay’s Rebellion

An uprising by Massachusetts farmers protesting debts, taxes, and farm foreclosures, which demonstrated the weaknesses of the national government under the Articles of Confederation.

Land Ordinance of 1785

A law establishing a system for surveying, dividing, and selling western territorial lands to raise money for the government.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

A law that established a process and plan for admitting new states to the Union on equal terms with existing states.

Daniel Shay

A former Revolutionary War soldier who helped lead Shay's Rebellion, exposing the national government's inability to maintain order or suppress uprisings under the Articles of Confederation.

George Washington

Commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution who presided over the Constitutional Convention and became the first president of the United States.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong central government to solve national problems and maintain social order.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of a strong central government who feared federal overreach, demanded the protection of state powers, and pushed for the addition of a Bill of Rights.

James Madison

A prominent political leader known as the 'Father of the Constitution' who helped draft the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and defended ratification.

Alexander Hamilton

A leading Federalist who advocated for a strong central government, defended the Constitution, and later created the nation's financial system.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, which created a weak national government that lacked the authority to levy direct taxes, regulate commerce, or enforce laws.

Constitution

The foundational document establishing the framework of the United States government, incorporating three branches, checks and balances, and federalism.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, designed to protect individual freedoms, guard against governmental abuses of power, and ensure the legal rights of those accused of crimes.