ch 7 history

Articles of Confederation (XIII)

The first U.S. government system; it gave most power to the states and created a weak national government.

Land Ordinance of 1785

A law that organized and divided western lands into townships and sections for sale and settlement.

Shays’ Rebellion

An uprising of Massachusetts farmers protesting high taxes and debt; it showed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation.

Constitutional Convention

The 1787 meeting where delegates created a new U.S. Constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation.

Virginia Plan

A proposal for a strong national government with representation based on a state’s population.

New Jersey Plan

favored equal representation for all states

Federalism

System of government where power is divided between a central national government and individual regional governments

Federalists

People who supported the Constitution and wanted a stronger national government.

Anti-Federalists

People who opposed the Constitution because they feared a strong national government and wanted protections for individual rights.

The Constitution

The document that established the structure, powers, and limits of the U.S. government.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, protecting individual freedoms and rights.

Adam Smith & role of government in economy

Adam Smith argued for free markets, competition, and limited government involvement in the economy.