Vocabulary - The Constitution of the United States of America

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Constitutional Convention

Meeting where writing of the Constitution took place over four months - in Philadelphia from May 14, 1787 (actually began May 25th) - September 17, 1787

New Jersey Plan

A plan proposed for the Legislative Branch - called the “small state plan” because it favored small states  - proposed one representative per state with one house in Congress - not based on population

Virginia Plan

A plan proposed for the Legislative Branch - called the “large state plan” because it favored those states with larger populations - wanted two houses of Congress, both based on population

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Proposed by Roger Sherman/Oliver Ellsworth from CT - called for one house based on population (House of Representatives) and one house based on equal representation per state (Senate)

⅗ Compromise

In terms of population, slaves would count as 3/5ths of a person - for every 5 slaves, that would be 3 people counted in population

Fugitive Slave Clause

Now obsolete, was an act that required runaway slaves to be returned to owners

Checks and Balances

a system in which the different parts of a government can have powers that affect and control the other parts so that no part can become too powerful

Federalists

Led by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay Wanted stronger national government/weaker state governments Mainly large landowners, wealthy merchants, and professionals Wanted the Constitution (write a new government)

Anti-federalists

Wanted weaker national government/stronger state governments Mainly small farmers, shopkeepers, and laborers Wanted to amend Articles of Confederation (keep current govt)

Federalist Papers

A series of essays explaining and defending the Constitution - later issueLed by Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, and George Mason d in book form under the title The Federalist.  James Madison and John Jay contributed some of them, but Alexander Hamilton wrote the great majority.  Considered one of the best explanations and defense of the Constitution Helped solidify support and move forward the Constitution

George Washington

Elected to preside over Constitutional Convention

James Madison

Known as the Father of the Constitution

Benjamin Franklin

Senior statesman at the Convention - 81 years old

Roger Sherman

Presented the Great Compromise, otherwise known as the Connecticut Compromise, which helped to prevent a deadlock at the Convention