6. A New Nation

HIST 2610

Daniel Shays

A divisive figure in American history, viewed as both a violent rebel and an upholder of revolutionary virtues.

Shaysites

The armed group of farmers led by Daniel Shays during the uprising against economic injustices in Massachusetts.

Spirit of 1776

The ideology of protecting rights and seeking redress for grievances, which the Shaysites claimed to embody.

Governor James Bowdoin

The Massachusetts governor who viewed the Shaysites as rebels and called for military action against them.

Militia

A military force composed of ordinary citizens, called up by Governor Bowdoin to suppress the Shaysite uprising.

Benjamin Lincoln

A former Revolutionary general who led the state militia against the Shaysites.

Foreclosure

The legal process by which creditors take possession of a borrower's property due to unpaid debts.

Pardons

Official forgiveness granted to Daniel Shays and most of his followers after their indictment for treason.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States, criticized for its inability to raise revenue and unify the states.

Economic Struggles

The financial difficulties faced by farmers in western Massachusetts after the American Revolution.

Revolutionary War Veterans

Former soldiers who fought in the American Revolution and participated in the Shaysite uprising.

Blockades

Tactics used by the Shaysites to prevent judges from issuing foreclosure orders by surrounding courthouses.

Treason

The crime for which Daniel Shays and other leaders were indicted, reflecting their rebellion against the government.

Debt

The financial obligation that burdened many farmers, leading to the uprising.

Cohesive Nation

The goal of creating a unified country, which was hindered by the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Shays's Rebellion

An uprising in Massachusetts that sparked national debate about government control and the need for a strong central government.

Thomas Jefferson

An American statesman who believed that occasional rebellion was necessary to maintain freedom.

James Madison

A key figure in the drafting of the Constitution and proponent of a strong central government.

Constitutional Convention

A meeting in 1787 where delegates from twelve states gathered to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Virginia Plan

A proposal by James Madison for a new national constitution that called for a strong central government.

Nationalists

Individuals who advocated for a strong central government, particularly in response to issues like Shays's Rebellion.

Anarchy

A state of disorder due to the absence of authority, feared by some Americans during the debates following Shays's Rebellion.

Taxation

The process by which a government levies financial charges on its citizens, a key issue at the Constitutional Convention.

Debt from Revolutionary War

Financial obligations incurred by the states during the war, which contributed to the economic crisis leading to the Constitutional Convention.

Massachusetts

The state that sided with wealthy bondholders over poor farmers during the economic turmoil post-Revolution.

Homogenous state

A concept suggesting that a republican government functions best in a small, uniform population, as seen in classical theories.

Federal government

The national government of the United States, which was deemed too weak under the Articles of Confederation.

Delegates

Representatives from the states who attended the Constitutional Convention to discuss and create a new government framework.

Research projects

Extensive studies conducted by James Madison on the history of government and republics, which informed his proposals at the Convention.

Liberty

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority, a central theme in the debates of the time.

Self-Governance

The ability of citizens to govern themselves successfully.

Weak Central Government

A government structure where the central authority has limited power, often favoring state or local governance.

Extended Republic

A concept proposed by Madison suggesting a large republic that includes a diverse population.

Three Branches

The division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Legislature

The legislative body of government responsible for making laws, often referred to as Congress.

Veto Power

The authority to reject or prohibit decisions or proposals made by a legislative body.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal to maintain equal representation for each state in Congress, regardless of population.

Compromise

An agreement reached by mutual concession, often used to resolve disputes.

House of Representatives

The lower house of Congress, with representation based on state population.

Senate

The upper house of Congress, where each state has equal representation.

Representation

The action of speaking or acting on behalf of someone or the state of being represented.

National Executive

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws and administering the government.

Slavery Issue

A contentious topic that influenced decisions during the formation of the U.S. government.

William Patterson

The delegate who proposed the New Jersey Plan.

Roger Sherman

The Connecticut delegate who advocated for Congress members to be appointed by state legislatures.

James Wilson

A delegate from Pennsylvania who argued for direct representation from the public.

Confidence of the People

The trust and support of the citizens, deemed essential for a government's longevity.

Great Compromise

An agreement that established a bicameral legislature with equal representation for states in the Senate and proportional representation in the House.

Three-fifths compromise

A formula for counting enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for representation and tax purposes.

Executive branch

The branch of government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws, headed by the president.

Electoral college

A body of electors established by the Constitution to elect the president and vice president.

Ratification

The formal approval process of the Constitution by the states.

George Washington

The first president of the United States and a key figure in the Constitutional Convention.

Virginia's Declaration of Rights

A document authored by George Mason that influenced the development of the Bill of Rights.

National sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself or another state.

State sovereignty

The concept that states have the right to govern themselves independently.

Controversial proposal

A suggestion or plan that provokes disagreement or debate.

Bicameral legislature

A legislative body with two chambers, typically a House and a Senate.

Committee vs. single executive

A debate during the Constitutional Convention regarding whether executive power should be held by a group or an individual.

Democratic innovations

New methods or ideas introduced to enhance democratic governance.

Independence Hall

The site in Philadelphia where the Constitutional Convention took place.

Critics of the Constitution

Individuals or groups who opposed the ratification of the Constitution.

National bill of rights

A proposed list of fundamental rights and freedoms that was ultimately not included in the original Constitution.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who argued for the inclusion of a bill of rights to protect personal liberties.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who believed a bill of rights was unnecessary and potentially limiting.

Bill of Rights

A proposed list of specific rights to be guaranteed to American citizens.

Federalist Papers

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

Massachusetts Ratifying Convention

The first crucial vote for the Constitution, where delegates initially favored Anti-Federalist views.

Virginia Convention

A high-profile ratifying convention where Federalists and Anti-Federalists debated the Constitution.

Tyranny

The oppressive power that Anti-Federalists feared the federal government would exert without a bill of rights.

New York Ratification

The state that ratified the Constitution by a narrow margin of three votes.

Rhode Island Ratification

The last state to ratify the Constitution, doing so a year after Washington's inauguration.

Debate

The discussions and arguments surrounding the merits of the Constitution among citizens.

Patrick Henry

A prominent Anti-Federalist who opposed the Constitution during the Virginia Convention.

Edmund Randolph

A Federalist leader who participated in the Virginia ratifying convention.

George Mason

An influential Anti-Federalist who argued against the Constitution in Virginia.

Constitution

The foundational document outlining the framework of the U.S. government.

July 2, 1788

The date Congress announced that a majority of states had ratified the Constitution.

Coffeehouse Quarrels

Informal debates among citizens discussing the Constitution in social settings.

Majority

The required number of states needed to ratify the Constitution for it to take effect.