AP Articles of Confederation and Constitutional Convention

Articles of Confederation

A weak constitution that governed America during the Revolutionary War. National government did not have the power to tax, exclusively coin money or enforce laws. States remained powerful.

Shay's Rebellion

A 1787 rebellion in which ex-Revolutionary War soldiers attempted to prevent foreclosures of farms as a result of high interest rates and taxes. The rebellion exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation—especially the weakness of the Articles of Confederation in handling civil unrest due to the weak army and navy

Unicameral

A single-chamber legislature

Bicameral

A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses

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 like Virginia and was opposed by smaller states who favored equal representation.

New Jersey Plan

The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population. Small states favored this plan.

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Compromise made by Constitutional Convention in which states would have equal representation in one house of the legislature (Senate) and representation based on population in the other house (House of Representatives)

⅗ Compromise

A slave was to be counted as three-fifths of all "free persons," for purposes of both representation and taxation. Allowed for slave holding states to count a portion of their enslaved population when determining representation in Congress.

Electoral College

a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.

Federalists

Supporters of the U.S. Constitution at the time the states were contemplating its adoption. Supported strengthening the national government and having a large republic

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption. Favors state power over national. Advocated for a Bill of Rights

Brutus 1 - Anti-federalists (republicans)

Opposed the ratification of the constitution. Did not like the strong national government, specifically the power to tax, the necessary and proper clause, supremacy clause and standing army. Did not like the absence of a Bill of Rights (strong advocate for protecting the rights of citizens from tyranny); preferred a small republic to a large republic—better at protecting rights and holding officials accountable

Necessary and Proper Clause

constitutional authorization for Congress to make any law required to carry out its powers. Anti-Federalists were opposed to this clause

Supremacy Clause

Constitution is the supreme law of the land; allows national government to strike down state laws that conflict with national laws. Brutus 1 criticizes the Supremacy clause and the strengthening of the national government

Federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments. This is the structure of government chosen by the delegates at the convention.

Ratification

official approval—9 of 13 states needed to ratify the Constitutionto become law and establish a new government.

indirect election

electoral system in which representatives are chosen by other elected officials, rather than directly by the citizenry at large

confederation

loose union of states

small republic

Type of government favored by Brutus 1. He argued that a large republic would make it harder to hold leaders accountable and would lead to a loss of individual liberties. A small republic allows for greater participation and connection between citizens and their representatives.

state sovereignty

the concept that states have supreme authority over their own affairs, free from federal interference. This principle was a key element of the Articles of Confederation.

revenue

taxes

Under the original constitution, how were Senators chosen?

appointed by state legislatures

Bill of Rights

added to the Constitution in exchange for anti-federalist support in ratifying the Constitution