Articles of Confederation to Constitutional Convention

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution that guarantee individual rights and freedoms

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between the national government and the states.

Magna Carta

A 1215 English document that limited the power of the king and established the idea that rulers are subject to the law.

Constitution

The supreme law of the United States that outlines the structure of government and the rights of citizens

Articles of Confederation

The first plan of government for the United States; it gave most power to the states and created a weak national government.

Ratify

To formally approve a law

Northwest Territory

Land north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River; governed by the Northwest Ordinance

Shays’ Rebellion

An armed uprising of Massachusetts farmers in 1786–87 protesting taxes and debt

Constitutional Convention

The 1787 meeting in Philadelphia where delegates wrote the U.S. Constitution.

Virginia Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention for a strong national government with representation in Congress based on state population.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention for equal representation in Congress regardless of state size.

Bicameral

A two-house legislature

Great Compromise

An agreement at the Constitutional Convention that created a bicameral Congress: the House based on population and the Senate with equal representation.

Three-Fifths Compromise

A compromise at the Constitutional Convention stating that enslaved people would count as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government that makes laws; in the U.S.

Executive Branch

The branch of government that enforces laws; led by the President.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government that interprets laws and ensures they follow the Constitution; includes the Supreme Court.

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch of government can limit the power of the others to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Federalists

Supporters of the U.S. Constitution who favored a strong national government.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton