National Period and Early Constitution (59-73)

59. Constitutional Convention (1787) Meeting in Philadelphia of delegates from states to revise Articles of Confederation; resulted in creation of new Constitution establishing stronger federal government with separation of powers.

60. John Jay (1745-1829) New York lawyer and statesman who served as first Chief Justice of the United States and later as Secretary of Foreign Affairs; negotiated Treaty of Paris ending Revolutionary War.

61. Northwest Ordinance (1787) Legislation organizing the Northwest Territory and establishing procedures for admitting new states; prohibited slavery in the territory and provided framework for western expansion.

62. James Madison (1751-1836) Virginia statesman called "Father of the Constitution" for his major contributions to the Constitutional Convention; served as fourth President and drafted the Bill of Rights; primary author of the Constitution.

63. Virginia Plan / New Jersey Plan Competing proposals at Constitutional Convention: Virginia Plan proposed proportional representation based on population (favored large states); New Jersey Plan proposed equal state representation (favored small states); Great Compromise combined both.

64. Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) Constitutional Convention agreement creating bicameral legislature with Senate (equal representation) and House of Representatives (proportional representation); resolved dispute between large and small states.

65. Federalists & Anti-Federalists Federalists supported strong central government and new Constitution (Hamilton, Madison, Jay); Anti-Federalists opposed centralized power and wanted stronger state governments (opposed Constitution); their debate shaped ratification.

66. Judiciary Act of 1789 Legislation establishing the federal court system including the Supreme Court and federal district courts; created structure for federal judicial power under the new Constitution.

67. Bill of Rights (1791) First ten amendments to the Constitution protecting individual liberties including freedom of speech, religion, press, and petition; added to gain Anti-Federalist support for ratification.

68. Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804) First Secretary of the Treasury who established financial stability for the new nation through funding of national debt, establishment of national bank, and protective tariffs; Federalist who favored strong central government.

69. Republican Party Political party of Thomas Jefferson opposing Federalist policies and emphasizing states' rights, agrarian interests, and limited federal government; evolved into modern Democratic Party.

70. Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) Virginia statesman who wrote Declaration of Independence, served as Secretary of State and Vice President, and was elected third President; advocated for states' rights and limited federal government.

71. Whiskey Rebellion (1794) Protest by Pennsylvania farmers against federal tax on whiskey; Washington's military response demonstrated federal government's power to enforce laws; showed strength of new Constitution.

72. Alien & Sedition Acts (1798) Laws passed by Federalist Congress restricting immigration and criminalizing criticism of the government; interpreted by Republicans as threats to civil liberties and free speech.

73. St. Domingue (Haiti) Slave Rebellion (1791-1804) Slave revolution in the French Caribbean colony resulting in establishment of Haiti as independent nation of formerly enslaved people; alarmed southern slaveholders and influenced American fears of slave rebellion.