Unit 1: Foundation of American Self-Government

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key concepts, historical figures, events, and constitutional debates outlined in the Unit 1: Foundation of American Self-Government study guide.

Essential Question of Unit 1

How and why was the United States government formed?

Enlightenment Ideals

The first section of the Unit 1 study guide, focusing on historical figures such as Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu, as well as colonial views on government.

Locke

An Enlightenment historical figure studied under the Enlightenment Ideals section of Unit 1.

Rousseau

An Enlightenment historical figure examined alongside Locke and Montesquieu regarding foundational views on government.

Montesquieu

An Enlightenment historical figure included in the study of philosophical ideals influencing American government.

Declaration of Independence

The first major event listed on the Unit 1 timeline addressing the formation of the United States government.

Articles of Confederation

The early American governing framework included in the timeline of events, whose weaknesses prompted the Constitutional Convention.

Shays Rebellion

A historical event listed on the timeline between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.

Constitutional Convention

The convention focused on the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the main ideas of the Constitution.

VA PLan

A proposal presented at the Constitutional Convention as one of the main ideas shaping the new Constitution.

NJ Plan

A constitutional proposal considered at the Constitutional Convention alongside the VA PLan.

Great Compromise

A central agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention balancing different plans for government.

3/5th Compromise

A key compromise established at the Constitutional Convention regarding representation and population.

Federalist v. Anti-Federalist

The fourth section of the study guide comparing who each group was, what they believed, what they wanted, and their key essays.

Fed 10

A key Federalist essay examined in the debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.

Brutus 1

A key Anti-Federalist essay analyzed in Section 4 of the study guide.

Fed 51

A key Federalist essay studied alongside Fed 10 in Section 4.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, featured in the timeline of events and as Section 5 of the study guide.

Amendment Process

The constitutional procedure outlined in Section 5 alongside the Bill of Rights (1–10).