Unit 3 Ch. 8 AP U.S. History Key terms

Articles of Confederation (1781)

America's first constitution; created a weak central government with limited powers (no power to tax or regulate trade).

Old Northwest

Territory northwest of the Ohio River, east of the Mississippi, and south of the Great Lakes; governed by land ordinances.

Land Ordinance of 1785

Law that divided western lands into townships to be sold for revenue; supported public education.

Northwest Ordinance (1787)

Set rules for admitting new states; banned slavery in the Old Northwest.

Shays's Rebellion (1786-87)

Uprising of poor Massachusetts farmers led by Daniel Shays; demanded debt relief; showed weakness of the Articles of Confederation.

Virginia Plan

Constitutional proposal for representation based on population; favored large states.

New Jersey Plan

Proposal for equal representation regardless of size; favored small states.

Great Compromise (1787)

Agreement combining both plans; created a bicameral legislature with House based on population and Senate with equal votes.

Common law

Legal tradition based on precedent and court rulings rather than detailed written codes.

Civil law

Legal system with comprehensive, written codes of law.

Three-fifths Compromise

Agreement that each enslaved person counted as 3/5 of a person for representation and taxation.

Electoral College

System for electing the president indirectly, balancing influence of states and the people.

Antifederalists

Opposed ratification of the Constitution; feared strong central government and wanted a Bill of Rights.

Federalists

Supported the Constitution; favored stronger central government to maintain order and stability.

The Federalist (Papers)

Essays by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay defending the Constitution and urging ratification.

Society of the Cincinnati

Hereditary organization of Revolutionary War officers; criticized as elitist.

Disestablishment

Separation of church and state; especially the end of state support for established churches.

Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (1786)

Law by Jefferson and Madison guaranteeing freedom of religion; model for First Amendment.

Civic virtue

Idea that democracy depends on citizens putting the common good above personal interest.

Republican motherhood

Belief that women should raise children to be good citizens and instill republican values at home.

Daniel Shays

Leader of Shays's Rebellion; symbol of resistance to economic injustice and the weakness of the Articles.

Patrick Henry

Virginia leader, strong Antifederalist; opposed Constitution, feared central power and lack of Bill of Rights.