Constitutional Foundations and the Articles of Confederation

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the notes on the weaknesses of the Articles, the Constitutional Convention, and the formation of the U.S. Constitution.

Federalism

The division and sharing of power between national (federal) and state governments.

Shays’ Rebellion (1786–1787)

A six-month uprising by over 1,000 western Massachusetts farmers protesting foreclosures; highlighted weaknesses of the Articles and the need for a stronger central government.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. constitution (ratified 1781) creating a loose union with a weak central government; predecessor to the Constitution.

Northwest Ordinance

Law establishing how new territories would be admitted as states and setting a framework for orderly expansion.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Ended the Revolutionary War on favorable terms for the United States and recognized independence.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Inability to tax; no national military or currency; no national courts or executive; no power to regulate interstate trade; unanimous amendment requirements; 9/13 approval to pass legislation; lack of enforcement mechanisms.

Constitutional Convention

The 1787 meeting that produced the U.S. Constitution, replacing the Articles with a new framework for the U.S. government.

Virginia Plan

Proposal for a bicameral legislature based on population (favored by larger states).

New Jersey Plan

Proposal for a unicameral legislature with equal representation per state.

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Established bicameral Congress: House based on population and Senate with equal representation (two per state).

Three-Fifths Compromise

Compromise counting enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for determining representation in the House.

Federalists

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

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who favored stronger state governments and demanded a Bill of Rights.

Electoral College

System of electors from each state (2 per state plus one per House member) totaling 538; winner needs 270 to win; designed to balance large and small states and safeguard against direct popular tyranny.

The Federalist Papers

A collection of essays by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay advocating for ratification of the Constitution.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments protecting individual rights; proposed by Anti-Federalists and added to secure ratification.

Separation of Powers

Division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent the concentration of power.

Checks and Balances

System whereby each branch can constrain the others (e.g., veto, veto override, judicial review).

Federalism

The division and sharing of power between national (federal) and state governments.

Shays’ Rebellion (1786–1787)

A six-month uprising by over 1,000 western Massachusetts farmers protesting foreclosures; highlighted weaknesses of the Articles and the need for a stronger central government.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. constitution (ratified 1781) creating a loose union with a weak central government; predecessor to the Constitution.

Northwest Ordinance

Law establishing how new territories would be admitted as states and setting a framework for orderly expansion.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Ended the Revolutionary War on favorable terms for the United States and recognized independence.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Inability to tax; no national military or currency; no national courts or executive; no power to regulate interstate trade; unanimous amendment requirements; 9/13 approval to pass legislation; lack of enforcement mechanisms.

Constitutional Convention

The 1787 meeting that produced the U.S. Constitution, replacing the Articles with a new framework for the U.S. government.

Virginia Plan

Proposal for a bicameral legislature based on population (favored by larger states).

New Jersey Plan

Proposal for a unicameral legislature with equal representation per state.

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Established bicameral Congress: House based on population and Senate with equal representation (two per state).

Three-Fifths Compromise

Compromise counting enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for determining representation in the House.

Federalists

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

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who favored stronger state governments and demanded a Bill of Rights.

Electoral College

System of electors from each state (2 per state plus one per House member) totaling 538; winner needs 270 to win; designed to balance large and small states and safeguard against direct popular tyranny.

The Federalist Papers

A collection of essays by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay advocating for ratification of the Constitution.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments protecting individual rights; proposed by Anti-Federalists and added to secure ratification.

Separation of Powers

Division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent the concentration of power.

Checks and Balances

System whereby each branch can constrain the others (e.g., veto, veto override, judicial review).

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution (e.g., declaring war, regulating interstate commerce).

Reserved Powers

Powers not given to the federal government, nor denied to the states, belonging to the states or the people (e.g., establishing schools, regulating intrastate commerce; 10th Amendment).

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments (e.g., taxing, building roads, establishing courts).