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Constitution

A document that sets out the fundamental principles of governance and establishes the institutions of government.

Republic

A government ruled by representatives of the people.

Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union

A governing document that created a union of thirteen sovereign states in which the states, not the national government, were supreme.

Unicameral

A one-house legislature.

Shays's Rebellion

A popular uprising against the government of Massachusetts.

Constitutional Convention

A meeting attended by state delegates in 1787 to fix the Articles of Confederation.

writ of habeas corpus

The right of people detained by the government to know the charges against them.

bills of attainder

When the legislature declares someone guilty without a trial.

ex post facto laws

Laws punishing people for acts that were not crimes at the time they were committed.

Virginia Plan

A plan of government calling for a three-branch government with a bicameral legislature, where more populous states would have more representation in Congress.

New Jersey Plan

A plan of government that provided for a unicameral legislature with equal votes for each states.