United States Constitution - Key Terms (VOCABULARY)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms related to the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, and the debates surrounding ratification.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. constitution (1777) that created a weak, league-like national government; states retained sovereignty, no executive or judicial branch, 9/13 votes required to pass laws, and amendments required unanimous consent.

Confederation

A union of independent states with a central government that has limited power.

Unitary System

A system in which authority is concentrated in a central government; examples include the United Kingdom, Japan, and Sweden.

Federation (Federal System)

A government where power is divided between a national government and state governments, with authority derived from the people.

Land Ordinance of 1785

Divided western lands into townships and sections; 16th section revenue reserved for public schools; land sold to raise revenue.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Outlined how new territories north and west of the Ohio River would become states; banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.

Proclamation of 1763

British decree prohibiting settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Shays’ Rebellion

1786–87 uprising by indebted Massachusetts farmers; exposed weaknesses of the Articles and the need for a stronger national government.

Constitutional Convention

Philadelphia meeting (1787) to revise the Articles; produced a new framework for the U.S. government, presided by George Washington.

Virginia Plan

Proposal for representation in Congress based on state population; favored by large states.

New Jersey Plan

Proposal for equal representation for all states and expanded congressional powers; favored by small states.

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Established a bicameral Congress: House representation by population and Senate representation equal for all states.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Slaves counted as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation; slave trade would continue for 20 years.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1791, protecting individual rights and limiting federal power.

Federalists

Supporters of ratification who favored a stronger national government; leaders included Madison, Hamilton, and Jay; promoted the Constitution.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of ratification who feared a powerful central government and demanded protections for states’ and individuals’ rights.

The Federalist Papers

85 essays by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay, published under the pseudonym Publius to defend ratification of the Constitution.

Publius

Pseudonym used by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay for the Federalist Papers.

Checks and Balances

A system in which each branch of government can limit the powers of the others (e.g., vetoes, overrides, judicial review).

Limited Government

A principle that constitutional constraints and separation of powers limit governmental power; influenced by Montesquieu.

Separation of Powers

Division of government responsibilities among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Ratification

Formal approval by the states to adopt the Constitution; required nine states for it to take effect; completed in 1788.

Nine-Fifths (9/13) Rule

The requirement under the Articles of Confederation that nine of thirteen states must agree to pass laws.

Amending the Articles

Under the Articles, all thirteen states had to agree (unanimous vote) to amend the framework.

No Executive or Judicial Branch (Articles)

The Articles created no separate executive or judiciary to enforce laws.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Ended the Revolutionary War; granted U.S. significant western and southern territorial claims east of the Mississippi.

Population-Based Representation

Representation in the House of Representatives based on each state’s population (favored by large states in the Virginia Plan).

Equal State Representation

Equal representation for every state in the Senate (favored by small states in the New Jersey Plan).

Slave Trade Compromise

Continued the slave trade for 20 years after ratification before any federal action could be taken to end it.

Westward Expansion Policies

Policies like the Northwest Ordinance encouraged forming new states and expanding the United States westward.

Ratification Debates

Public and political debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists over the Constitution and the need for a Bill of Rights.