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Checks and Balances

A system to prevent any group from becoming too powerful and infringing on the rights of the minority.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

Two Houses of Legislature

John Adams proposed a legislature with a senate for the wealthy and an assembly for the common people.

Voting Rights Expansion

The post-revolution expansion of voting rights mainly for white males who paid taxes.

Articles of Confederation

A plan for a loose union of the states adopted by Congress in November 1777.

Powers of the Confederation

Could declare war, raise armies, and sign treaties, but could not impose taxes or regulate trade.

State Contributions

The confederation depended on state contributions or funding to raise money.

Tariffs

Taxes applied by states on British goods, threatening the unity of the union.

Economic Recession

The economic downturn experienced by the United States shortly after the war.

Shays' Rebellion

An uprising in Massachusetts that occurred in 1786, triggered by high taxes on poor farmers.

Stronger Central Government

The conclusion that the nation would not survive without a stronger central government.

Constitutional Convention

A gathering of representatives from every state, except Rhode Island, to address problems with the Articles of Confederation.

Virginia Plan

A proposal to create a new government with powers to make laws and raise money through taxes.

Connecticut Compromise

A compromise that established a bicameral legislature with representation based on population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement that every five enslaved persons would count as three free persons for representation and taxation.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government responsible for making laws.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws.

Revolution and Equality

The experience of fighting together during the revolution heightened beliefs in equality among different social classes.

Territory Organization

The Confederation organized and established territories west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Debt Recovery

The issue faced by the United States concerning British lenders suing American debtors after the war.