US constitution.

popular sovereignty

The idea that a gov’t is created by and subject to the will of the people

preamble

An introductory statement that explains a document's purpose

proportional Representation

in Legislature is based on population

representation

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ratify / ratification

To approve / approval

repeal

To revoke, cancel, call off

republic

a nation in which power is held by citizens who elect representatives who manage the government

unicameral

Composed of one (legislative) chamber

veto

Power to reject a bill

Key People

Founding Fathers the delegates to the Constitutional Convention, as well as other American leaders of the time

George Washington

President of the Constitutional Convention

Benjamin Franklin

An influential elder statesman who participated in both the Continental Congress Constitutional Convention, known forhis humorous personality.

Thomas Jefferson

The main author of the Declaration of Independence, not present at the Constitutional Convention as he was in France; he supported a government with three branches and advocated for a Bill of Rights.

John Adams

The second President of the United States.

Patrick Henry

An Antifederalist who famously declined to attend the Constitutional Convention because he had reservations about the proceedings.

Alexander Hamilton

Raised on Caribbean island of Nevis, delegate to Annapolis Convention

James Madison

“Father of the Constitution”

John Jay

He was instrumental in negotiating the Treaty of Paris and authored several essays in 'The Federalist'; he was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Edmund Randolph

Governor of VA presents the Virginia Plan (written by James Modison to the Convention William Patterson Presents New Jersey Plan - IT would rather submit to a monarchY than to the 'fate' of proportional representation in Congress

Roger Sherman

(CT) offers what would be known as "Great Compromise" - 2 houses of Congress

Key Topics

The Articles of Confederation

Original constitution of the new United States; gave very little power to the nat’l gov’t, bc feared tyranny - so most power given to states

Constitutional Convention

the meeting of state delegates in Philadelphia in 1787 to revise Articles of Confederation (resulted in the writing of the Constitution)