Lesson 1 - Need to Know: Foundations of the U.S. Constitution (Vocabulary)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the notes on the Founding era, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution.

Unalienable rights

Rights that cannot be taken away by government; life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as stated in the Declaration of Independence.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. constitution establishing a weak central government; Congress could declare war, raise an army, establish a post office, and coin money, but could not tax or regulate commerce.

Northwest Ordinance (1787)

Established governance for the Northwest Territory and a path to statehood; set rules for settlement and state creation in the region.

Land Ordinance of 1785

System for surveying and selling western lands; created a grid of townships and planned funds for the federal government and education.

Shays’ Rebellion

1786–87 uprising by Massachusetts farmers highlighting weaknesses of the Articles and fueling calls for a stronger national government.

Constitutional Convention (May 1787)

Meeting in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation; resulted in drafting a new Constitution and the Great Compromise.

James Madison

Known as the Father of the Constitution; key planner and author who led debate and helped shape the new framework.

Republic

A government in which citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf.

New Jersey Plan

Plan that proposed equal representation for states in a unicameral legislature; favored by smaller states.

Virginia Plan

Plan that proposed representation in Congress based on population in a bicameral legislature; favored by larger states.

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Agreement creating a bicameral Congress: Senate with two representatives per state and a House based on population.

Electoral College

System for electing the president; voters elect electors who cast votes for president; number of electors per state equals Senators plus Representatives.

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments, with each level having certain sovereign powers.

Federalists

Supporters of ratification of the Constitution who argued for a stronger central government; authors of The Federalist Papers.

3/5 Compromise

Slaves were counted as three-fifths of a person for purposes of representation and taxation, giving southern states greater representation in the House.

Ratification

Process by which the Constitution is formally approved by the states; required nine states to ratify for it to become law.

State sovereignty

The principle that states retain authority over certain powers and must balance against the power of the national government.