History Vocabulary- Chapter 9

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781, that created a very weak national government. Congress could not tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws, which made it difficult to solve national problems.

Old Northwest (Northwest Territory)

The land north of the Ohio River that the United States gained after the Revolutionary War. It became an important area for westward settlement and the creation of new states.

Land Ordinance of 1785

A law that organized western lands into townships so they could be sold in an orderly way. The money helped pay off national debt, and one section of each township was set aside to support public schools.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

A law that explained how a territory could become a state. It guaranteed freedom of religion, trial by jury, banned slavery in the territory, and encouraged settlers to move west.

Shays’ Rebellion

A rebellion by farmers in Massachusetts who were angry about high taxes, debt, and the loss of their farms. It showed that the national government under the Articles was too weak to keep order.

Virginia Plan

A plan presented at the Constitutional Convention that proposed a strong national government with three branches and a legislature based on population, which favored large states.

New Jersey Plan

A plan that proposed a single

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

An agreement that combined the Virginia and New Jersey Plans by creating a two

Common Law

A legal system based on past court decisions and traditions rather than written laws. Judges look at earlier cases to make decisions.

Civil Law

A legal system based on written laws and legal codes. Judges apply the law as it is written instead of relying heavily on previous cases.

Three fifth-comprimise

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

Antifederalists

People who opposed the Constitution because they feared a strong national government would threaten individual freedoms and state power. They wanted a Bill of Rights.

Federalists

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

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. This belief led to greater support for women’s education, even though women still lacked political rights.