Studied by 51 PeopleTags & Description
Declaration of Independence
the document recording the proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain
Articles of Confederation
1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade)
Shay's Rebellion
Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out.
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution; pleased the Anti-federalists
Constitutional Convention
Meeting in 1787 in Philadelphia of the elected representatives of the thirteen original states to write the Constitution of the United States.
Northwest Ordinance
land was divided into no less than 3 and no more than 5 territories, no slavery, required public education
Land Ordinance
government sold land to fund public education and land was divided into "townships". Land was cheaply sold
Virginia Plan
"Large state" proposal for the new constitution, calling for proportional representation in both houses of a bicameral Congress. The plan favored larger states and thus prompted smaller states to come back with their own plan for apportioning representation.
New Jersey Plan
Proposal to create a weak national government
Conneticut Compromise (Great Compromise)
Bicameral Congress; House of representatives and senate
3/5ths Compromise
agreement providing that enslaved persons would count as three-fifths of other persons in determining representation in Congress
Federalists
Supporters of the U.S. Constitution at the time the states were contemplating its adoption.
Anti-Federalists people
Hancock, Henry, Henry Lee, Mason, Warren
Federalist people
Franklin, Hamilton, Jay, Madison
Anti-Federalists
Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption.
senate
was called the upper house, equal representation chosen by the state legislature - indirect election (serve 6 years)
house of representatives
was called the lower house, based on state population - direct election; elected by eligible voters (served for 2 years)
3 requirements for statehood
congress appointed territorial governor & judges
when the territory had 5000 voting residents, the settlers could write a temporary constitution and elect a government
when the total population reached 60,000, settlers could write a constitution (had to be approved by Congress fro statehood)