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Tyranny of the Majority

Tyranny of the Majority

The potential of a majority to oppress or marginalize the minority, leading to the restriction of their rights and freedoms

Sons of Liberty

A group of merchants formed in New York City, advocating for greater political influence and opposing British rule, particularly in response to the Sugar Act of 1765

Federalist Papers

A series of 85 essays published between October 1787 and August 1788, providing background and justification for the protection of minority rights in the United States

Minority Rights

Protections for those that are not in the majority, ensuring their rights are upheld despite being outnumbered

First Amendment

The amendment to the United States Constitution that protects the right to freedom of religion, including the right not to practice a religion

Coercive Acts

A series of acts passed by the British Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party, intended to punish Massachusetts and deny Bostonians the right to govern themselves

Intolerable Acts

A term used by the colonists to refer to the Coercive Acts and the Quebec Act, which were seen as oppressive and aimed at suppressing colonial rights

Second Continental Congress

The assembly of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that met in 1775, leading to the funding of a continental army and the declaration of independence from Britain

Magna Carta

A document that placed limitations on the English monarch's powers, including the requirement for consent of councilmen for tax levying, the right to trial by jury, and the principle that the king himself was under the law

English Bill of Rights

A document from 1688 that required freedom of speech in parliamentary proceedings, prohibited excessive bail and fines, and cruel and unusual punishments, serving as the basis for some of the amendments in the Bill of Rights

John Locke's Two Treatises of Government

Stated citizens could overthrow an unjust government and declared universal rights of man to life, liberty, and property, influencing the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Declaration of Independence

Declared universal rights of man to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but omitted key groups such as blacks, poor white men, and women.

Articles of Confederation

First constitution of the United States, facing challenges like serious inflation, postwar settlements, and administration of Western lands.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Set principles for surveying the frontier, allowed territorial self-government, and banned slaves from certain territories.

Shays' Rebellion

Armed uprising in Massachusetts led by Daniel Shays, protesting foreclosures and tax auctions, revealing weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Daniel Shay

Revolutionary war hero who led Shays' Rebellion in an attempt to shut down courts and prevent foreclosures.

Acquittal of Daniel Shay

After Shays' Rebellion, he was acquitted by the Massachusetts legislature, highlighting the political aftermath of the rebellion.

Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation

Vulnerability to rule by mob, as shown in Shays' Rebellion, emphasizing the document's inadequacies.

Challenge in raising an army under Articles of Confederation

Congress could not draft troops, relying on states for forces.

Lack of trade regulation in Articles of Confederation

The document lacked a provision to regulate interstate trade, posing challenges for the new nation.

Mount Vernon Meeting

Meeting at George Washington's home in 1785 to discuss interstate use of the Potomac River, leading to a larger gathering.

Philadelphia Convention

1787 convention where delegates deliberated to repair weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation.

Virginia Plan

Proposed bicameral legislature with proportional representation, reflecting early government structure proposals.

New Jersey Plan

Suggested unicameral legislature with each state having one vote, similar to the Articles of Confederation.

Connecticut Compromise

Proposed equal state vote in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives, addressing representation issues.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Stipulated every five slaves counted as three persons for representation, influencing the political power of the South.

Federalists

Constitution supporters who addressed fears of centralized authority by promoting a balanced relationship between state and national governments.

AntiFederalists

Opponents of the Constitution concerned about the balance of power between state and national governments.

AntiFederalists

Opponents of the Constitution who feared the imbalance of power between state and national governments, centralized concentration of power, and the influence of wealthy individuals and interest groups. They argued for the importance of local governments in addressing local needs.

Publius

Pen name used by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay to write the Federalist Papers, comprising 85 essays defending the Constitution as a document guarding Republican virtue and minority rights against majority tyranny.

Federalist Papers

A series of 85 essays defending the Constitution as the document that would guard Republican virtue, defend minority rights against majority tyranny, and prevent a stubborn minority from blocking measures necessary for national interests.

Bill of Rights

A set of amendments to the Constitution requested by Virginia, New York, and Massachusetts during the ratification process to protect individual rights and limit the power of the government.

Supreme law of the land

All acts and treaties of the national government became the supreme law of the land, replacing the previous system where each state could act independently in matters of diplomacy and trade.

Regulate trade between states

Under the Constitution, Congress had the right to regulate trade between the states, addressing the lack of provision for regulating interstate trade under the Articles of Confederation.

Levy taxes

Under the Constitution, Congress had the right to levy taxes on individuals, replacing the previous system where Congress could only request states to pay taxes under the Articles of Confederation.

State legislatures

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress could not draft troops and was dependent on states to contribute forces if they wanted to raise an army, highlighting the decentralized nature of military authority under this system.

Article V of the Constitution

Describes the process for amending the Constitution, requiring a supermajority vote in both chambers of Congress and the consent of 3/4 of the states, emphasizing the deliberate and challenging nature of amending the Constitution.

Suffrage

In the United States, suffrage refers to the right to vote, a fundamental aspect of democratic participation and political decision-making.