National Period and Early Constitution (59-73)

Constitutional Convention (1787)

Meeting in Philadelphia of delegates from states to revise the Articles of Confederation; resulted in creation of a new Constitution establishing a stronger federal government with separation of powers.

John Jay (1745-1829)

New York lawyer and statesman who served as the first Chief Justice of the United States and later as Secretary of Foreign Affairs; negotiated the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War.

Northwest Ordinance (1787)

Legislation organizing the Northwest Territory and establishing procedures for admitting new states; prohibited slavery in the territory and provided a framework for western expansion.

James Madison (1751-1836)

Virginia statesman called 'Father of the Constitution' for his major contributions to the Constitutional Convention; served as the fourth President and drafted the Bill of Rights.

Virginia Plan / New Jersey Plan

Competing proposals at the Constitutional Convention: Virginia Plan proposed proportional representation based on population (favored large states); New Jersey Plan proposed equal state representation (favored small states).

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Constitutional Convention agreement creating a bicameral legislature with Senate (equal representation) and House of Representatives (proportional representation).

Federalists & Anti-Federalists

Federalists supported a strong central government and the new Constitution; Anti-Federalists opposed centralized power and wanted stronger state governments, shaping the ratification debate.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Legislation establishing the federal court system, including the Supreme Court and federal district courts; created structure for federal judicial power under the new Constitution.

Bill of Rights (1791)

First ten amendments to the Constitution protecting individual liberties including freedom of speech, religion, press, and petition; added to gain Anti-Federalist support for ratification.

Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804)

First Secretary of the Treasury who established financial stability for the new nation through funding national debt, establishment of a national bank, and protective tariffs.

Republican Party

Political party of Thomas Jefferson opposing Federalist policies and emphasizing states' rights, agrarian interests, and limited federal government; evolved into modern Democratic Party.

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

Virginia statesman who wrote the Declaration of Independence, served as Secretary of State and Vice President, and was elected third President; advocated for states' rights and limited federal government.

Whiskey Rebellion (1794)

Protest by Pennsylvania farmers against federal tax on whiskey; Washington's military response demonstrated the federal government's power to enforce laws.

Alien & Sedition Acts (1798)

Laws passed by the Federalist Congress restricting immigration and criminalizing criticism of the government; interpreted as threats to civil liberties and free speech.

St. Domingue (Haiti) Slave Rebellion (1791-1804)

Slave revolution in the French Caribbean colony resulting in establishment of Haiti as an independent nation of formerly enslaved people; alarmed southern slaveholders.