Unit 4

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States which established a weak central government by giving power to each individual state.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Law passed by the Confederation Congress that established a plan for governing the Northwest Territory and provided a method for admitting new states.

Shays’ Rebellion

An armed uprising in western Massachusetts (1786-7) led by Daniel Shay, protesting high taxes and debt burdens, highlighting the weakness of Congress.

Constitutional Convention

A gathering of delegates from the American states where they drafted the United States Constitution.

Virginia Plan

A proposal for a strong central government composed of three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

New Jersey Plan

Proposed a unicameral legislature with equal votes for states and an executive elected by a national legislature.

Indirect elections

Elections where voters elect representatives who choose candidates or parties.

Electoral College

A group of politicians who vote for president based on their state's political vote.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a national government and smaller regional governments.

Necessary and proper clause

Gives Congress power to make all laws necessary for carrying into execution federal powers.

Checks and balances

A system that prevents any one government branch from becoming too powerful.

Three-fifths clause

Stated that enslaved people would be counted as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes.

Federalists

Political party advocating a strong central government and favoring Britain.

Federalist Papers

85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay advocating for the ratification of the Constitution.

Anti-Federalists

A group opposing the Constitution of 1787, fearing it gave too much power to the national government.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee fundamental individual liberties.

Bank of the United States

The first central bank established to manage the nation's debt from the Revolutionary War.

Impressment

The practice of forcibly seizing men from civilian ships for naval service.

Jay’s Treaty

An agreement between the U.S. and Great Britain aiming to resolve issues from the American Revolution.

Republicans (Democratic-Republicans)

A political party representing the common man and supporting an alliance with France.

Whiskey Rebellion of 1794

A protest by farmers against a federal excise tax on whiskey, seen as crucial for their livelihood.

Washington’s Farewell Address

Washington’s warning about political parties and the dangers of foreign affairs.

XYZ Affair

A diplomatic incident in which French agents demanded a bribe from American diplomats.

Quasi-War

Naval conflict between the U.S. and France marking the first active defense of American ships.

Alien and Sedition Acts

A series of four laws designed to restrict the rights of Democratic-Republicans.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Documents protesting limitations on civil liberties in the Alien and Sedition Acts.

Louisiana Territory

Land acquired from France through the Louisiana Purchase, doubling the size of the U.S.

Marbury v. Madison

Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.

Judicial review

The ability of the Court to declare legislative or executive acts unconstitutional.

Embargo Act

A law closing U.S. ports to exports and restricting imports from Britain.

War Hawks

Young politicians advocating for war with Great Britain.

War of 1812

A conflict with Great Britain over impressment of American sailors and trade restrictions.

Fort McHenry

A port that successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from British attack.

Hartford Convention

A secret meeting of New England Federalists proposing constitutional amendments.

Battle of New Orleans

Final American victory that ended the War of 1812.

Treaty of Ghent

Peace agreement that officially ended the War of 1812.

Daniel Shays

A Revolutionary War veteran known for leading Shays' Rebellion.

Thomas Jefferson

Founding Father, primary author of the Declaration of Independence, third president.

James Madison

A Founding Father, known as the 'Father of the Constitution' and fourth president.

Alexander Hamilton

Founding Father who helped draft the Constitution and served as the first Secretary of the Treasury.

George Washington

Leader of the Continental Army and first president who helped create the Constitution.

Citizen Genet

A French diplomat sent to the U.S. during the French Revolution.

John Adams

Founding Father and second president important for advocating American independence.

John Marshall

Fourth Chief Justice who increased the power of the Federal court system.

Henry Clay

Recognized as the 'Great Compromiser' for negotiating political compromises.

John C. Calhoun

Politician known for strong advocacy of states' rights and defense of slavery.