Articles Of Confederation

Simple Republican

A political system where the government is run by elected representatives.

Unicameral Congress

A legislature with a single chamber.

No separation of powers

A structure in which the executive, legislative, and judicial functions are not divided into separate branches.

Equal representation

A principle stating that all states have the same voting power in Congress.

Military powers

Authority of Congress to raise and support armies.

Foreign powers

Authority to create treaties with foreign governments.

Monetary system

Government-provided money to regulate a country's economy.

Domestic mediation

The process by which the government helps resolve disputes within its own borders.

Support from the states

Assistance or contributions promised by the states to the central government.

Lack of tax revenue

Inadequate income from taxes to support government functions.

Congress could not compel tax contributions

Congress lacked the authority to enforce tax payments from the states.

Trade restrictions

Limitations imposed by states on the exchange of goods.

Inflation

A general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money.

Shays’ Rebellion

An armed uprising in 1786-1787 by American farmers seeking relief from debt.

Death By A Thousand Cuts

A metaphor for gradual weakening of the national government by individual states.

Public debt defaults

Failure to meet government debt obligations.

Annapolis Meeting

A meeting called in 1786 to address trade issues among states.

Constitutional Convention

The meeting in 1787 where the U.S. Constitution was created.

Virginia and Maryland trade disputes

Regional disagreements that led to calls for a larger meeting among states.

Economic chaos

Disorder and instability in the economy due to conflicts and failures in governance.

Tax based on total non-native American population

Northern states' proposal for a fair tax assessment ignoring slave populations.

Southern states' taxation stance

Opposition to including slaves in population counts for taxation.

Credit crunch

A sudden reduction in the general availability of loans or credit.

Promises to contribute taxes and troops

Commitments made by states to support the national government.

Too many decisions required 9/13 majorities

The stipulation that many decisions needed approval from 9 out of 13 states.

Alexander Hamilton

A founding father and critic of the Articles of Confederation.

James Madison

A founding father and key figure in the drafting of the Constitution.

Philadelphia Meeting 1789

The assembly that led to the creation of the U.S. Constitution.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, which was ultimately replaced.

States worked against each other

States' actions that undermined collective national goals.

Blocked trade in some goods

States' actions that prevented the flow of certain commodities.

Printed separate trade currencies

States issuing their own money, complicating trade.