Foundations of American Government

Anti-Federalists

Those who were against the ratification of the United States Constitution during the 1787-1789 ratification debates.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that list the natural rights the people do not have to surrender.

Charles Montesquieu

A French philosopher who promoted the separation of powers in government to prevent it from becoming too powerful.

Constituents

The residents of a congressional district or state that a representative represents.

Constitution

A document that organizes the structure of government and details the fundamental laws that govern a society.

Elite Democracy

A political system where privileged classes acquire power through competition for votes and rule with substantial freedom between elections.

Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 articles written to defend the Constitution in detail, authored by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution during ratification debates.

Government

The institution through which a society enforces public policies to maintain order.

Grand Committee

A group led by Benjamin Franklin to settle representation disputes between large and small states.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

An agreement for a bicameral legislature combining the Virginia and New Jersey plans.

James Madison

The 'Father of the Constitution,' who was pivotal in creating and ratifying the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

John Locke

An English philosopher who formulated the theory of natural rights and argued that governments are formed to protect those rights.

Nation

A group of people with a common culture living in a territory and sharing a strong sense of unity.

Natural Law

Law created by nature's god, relating to fundamental human rights.

New Jersey Plan

The proposal for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of population.

Participatory Democracy

A system in which all members of a community participate collectively in major decisions.

Pluralist Democracy

A theory that citizen membership in groups is key to political power in a democracy.

Policy Agenda

Issues that attract serious attention from public officials.

Positive Law

Laws created by authority that impose specific obligations on individuals.

Public Policy

The government's response to an issue, encompassing statutes, regulations, and court precedents.

Rhode Island

The only state that refused to participate in the Philadelphia Convention, fearing more central government power.

Rule of Law

The principle that all people and institutions are subject to the law.

Shay's Rebellion

A rebellion by unpaid Revolutionary War veterans that highlighted the need for a stronger central government.

Slave Trade Compromise

Agreement allowing Congress to outlaw slave importation after 1808; northerners agreed to return fugitive slaves.

Social Contract

A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights by forming a government.

Sovereignty

The supreme and absolute authority within territorial boundaries.

State

A political society with defined territory and government authority to enforce laws.

Thomas Jefferson

Author of the Declaration of Independence and leader of the Jeffersonian Republicans.

Three-Fifths Compromise

The agreement that counted three-fifths of enslaved individuals for representation in the House.

Unalienable Rights

Basic natural rights of individuals that cannot be taken away.

Virginia Plan

James Madison's proposal for proportional representation in a bicameral Congress favoring larger states.

Alexander Hamilton

The creator of the U.S. financial system and lead writer of the Federalist Papers.