The constitution and early republic

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Constitutional convention

1787 U.S. , where delegates met to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and ultimately created the U.S. Constitution.

Federalists

supporters of the U.S. Constitution who advocated for a strong central government, national unity, and the creation of a national economy

Anti-federalists

a group of people who opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution because they feared it gave too much power to the new federal government and not enough to the states and the people

Federalists papers 

collection of essays written by John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton in 1788. The essays urged the ratification of the United States Constitution, which had been debated and drafted at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.

Anti-federalists papers

a collection of essays written by opponents of the U.S. Constitution in the late 1780s who feared a powerful central government. These papers argued for stronger state governments and a weaker federal one, fearing the new Constitution would lead to tyranny by a distant elite. Their efforts were crucial in pushing for the addition of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution to protect individual liberties

Whiskey rebellion

uprising in western Pennsylvania by farmers against a federal excise tax on whiskey, a tax they depended on as their main cash crop. It was important because it demonstrated the new federal government's power and its willingness to use force to enforce its laws

Popular sovereignty

the principle that the authority of a government is derived from the will of the people. This means that the people are the ultimate source of political power, and their consent is necessary for a government's legitimacy.

Federalism

Federalism is a system of government that divides power between a national (federal) government and state governments.

separation of powers

a constitutional doctrine that divides government into three separate branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—each with distinct responsibilities to prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful

Checks and balances

Checks and Balances - Political Dictionary Checks and balances are

Judicial independence

the principle that judges can make decisions based on law and facts, free from pressure or influence from other branches of government, private interests, or popular opinion

Bill of rights

the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. It spells out Americans' rights in relation to their government. It guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual—like freedom of speech, press, and religion.

Farewell address

George Washington's Farewell Address, which warned about the dangers of political parties and foreign entanglements. For an individual, it is a speech given upon retirement or leaving a job to thank colleagues and share parting thoughts.  

The different philosophies of alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson

Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson had conflicting philosophies on the ideal structure of the U.S. government and economy. Hamilton favored a strong central government and a diversified economy based on manufacturing and commerce, while Jefferson advocated for states' rights and an agrarian economy of independent farmers

Marbury VS. Madison

Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review, giving the Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional.

McCulloch VS. Maryland

Supreme Court case that ruled Congress has implied powers to create a national bank, even though the power is not explicitly listed in the Constitution

Gibbons ogden

the Supreme Court ruled that Congress has the exclusive power to regulate interstate commerce, invalidating New York's state-granted monopoly on steamboat navigation between New York and New Jersey. The ruling held that the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution grants federal authority