Articles of Confederation -An alliance; adopted in 1781;

 established a weak central government with limited powers

Land Ordinance of 1785 - established a systematic process for selling western lands; promoting settlement and organization of new territories.

Northwest Ordinance- outlined the process for admitting new states from the Northwest Territory; established guidelines for their governance and the prohibition of slavery

Shays’ Rebellion- uprising in Massachusetts led by Daniel Shays, protesting economic injustices and lack of government response, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Virginia Plan - A proposal presented at the Constitutional Convention that suggested a strong national government with a bicameral legislature based on population.

New Jersey Plan- An alternative to the Virginia Plan that called for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, aimed at protecting the interests of smaller states.

 Great Compromise (Connecticut Plan) - A compromise between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans that created a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate providing equal representation.

3/5th Compromise- An agreement during the Constitutional Convention that counted each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for purposes of taxation and representation.

Electoral College - A body established by the Constitution that formally elects the President and Vice President of the United States, with each state's electors equal to its congressional representation.

Antifederalists- Opponents of the Constitution who feared a strong central government and advocated for individual liberties, leading to the addition of the Bill of Rights.

Federalists - Supporters of the Constitution who advocated for a strong national government, emphasizing the need for a unified nation.

The Federalist Papers - A series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay promoting the ratification of the Constitution and explaining its principles.

 Republican Motherhood- An ideological belief that women had a role in teaching civic virtue and responsibility to their children, thereby contributing to the nation’s democracy.

Daniel Shays  -A former Revolutionary War soldier and leader of Shays’ Rebellion, which protested economic injustices and government policies.

 Patrick Henry  -opposed the ratification of the Constitution.

James Madison  -A key architect of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, known as the "Father of the Constitution," and later the fourth President of the United States.

Alexander Hamilton - The first Secretary of the Treasury, he advocated for a strong central government and was a leading Federalist, establishing many financial policies.

John Jay- The first Chief Justice of the United States and a co-author of The Federalist Papers, he negotiated Jay’s Treaty with Britain.

Bill of Rights  - The first ten amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1791, which guaranteed individual liberties and rights.

assumption  - A financial policy by Hamilton that involved the federal government assuming state debts from the Revolutionary War, strengthening federal power.

tariff   - A tax on imported goods designed to protect domestic industries and raise revenue for the government.

excise tax- A tax imposed on the manufacture, sale, or consumption of certain goods, notably whiskey, which led to the Whiskey Rebellion.

strict construction- A judicial philosophy that interprets the Constitution literally, limiting the powers of the federal government to those explicitly stated.

Bank of the United States- A national bank established in 1791, proposed by Hamilton to stabilize and improve the nation’s credit and manage its financial affairs.

Battle of the Wabash - A 1791 battle in which American forces suffered a significant defeat against Native American tribes, highlighting the challenges of westward expansion.

Whiskey Rebellion - A 1794 uprising of farmers in western Pennsylvania protesting an excise tax on whiskey, which was suppressed by federal troops, asserting the power of the federal government.

Neutrality Proclamation- A declaration by President Washington in 1793 that the United States would remain neutral in the conflict between Britain and France.

Battle of Fallen Timbers- A 1794 battle where U.S. forces defeated Native American tribes, leading to the Treaty of Greenville and the opening of the Northwest Territory to settlement.

Treaty of Greenville- A 1795 agreement that ended the Northwest Indian War and ceded vast territories in the Northwest Territory to the United States

Jay’s Treaty - A 1794 treaty with Britain aimed at resolving issues remaining since the Revolutionary War, but it faced criticism for not addressing all American grievances.

Pinckney’s Treaty - A 1795 agreement with Spain that established friendly relations, defined borders, and granted Americans the right to navigate the Mississippi River.

Farewell Address- George Washington's 1796 letterin which he warned against political parties and foreign alliances, urging national unity.

XYZ Affair- A 1797 diplomatic incident involving a confrontation between the United States and France, leading to an undeclared naval war known as the Quasi-War.          

 Alien & Sedition Acts- A series of laws passed in 1798 aimed at limiting immigration and curbing dissent against the federal government, viewed as repressive by many.

Virginia and Kentucky resolutions- Political statements drafted in 1798 and 1799 asserting that states could nullify federal laws deemed unconstitutional, a response to the Alien and Sedition Acts.

George Washington- The first President of the United States and a Founding Father, he set many precedents for the office and advocated for neutrality in foreign affairs and warned against political parties..

Edmond Genêt- A French diplomat whose actions during the French Revolution challenged American neutrality and caused a diplomatic crisis.

John Adams- The second President of the United States and a Federalist, he played a significant role in the early years of the republic, particularly in foreign affairs.

Charles Maurice de Talleyrand- The French foreign minister whose actions during the XYZ Affair escalated tensions between the U.S. and France.