History Vocab- Chapter 9

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781, that created a very weak national government.

Old Northwest (Northwest Territory)

The land north of the Ohio River that the United States gained after the Revolutionary War.

Land Ordinance of 1785

A law that organized western lands into townships so they could be sold in an orderly way.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

A law that explained how a territory could become a state.

Shays' Rebellion

A rebellion by farmers in Massachusetts who were angry about high taxes, debt, and the loss of their farms. Armed uprising of western Mas sa chu setts debtors seeking lower taxes and an end to property foreclosures. Though quickly put down, the insurrection inspired fears of “mob rule” among leading Revolutionaries.

Virginia Plan

A plan presented at the Constitutional Convention that proposed a strong national government with three branches.

New Jersey Plan

A plan that proposed a single.-house legislature where each state had one vote. It was supported by small states that wanted equal representation.

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

An agreement that combined the Virginia and New Jersey Plans by creating a two-house Congress.

Common Law

A legal system based on past court decisions and traditions rather than written laws.

Civil Law

A legal system based on written laws and legal codes.

Three-fifths Compromise

An agreement that allowed states to count three-fifths of their enslaved population when determining representation and taxes.

Antifederalists

People who opposed the Constitution because they feared a strong national government would threaten individual freedoms.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who believed a strong national government was necessary to protect the country.

The Federalist (Federalist Papers)

A collection of essays written to explain and defend the Constitution and persuade states to ratify it.

Republican Motherhood

The idea that women were responsible for raising educated and moral citizens.