Vocabulary Terms

The Constitution emerged from the debate about the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation as a blueprint for limited government.

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Terms

Annapolis Convention
A meeting called by the state of Virginia held in Annapolis, to discuss the commercial problems besetting the United States under the Articles of Confederation. The meeting was not successful.
Anti-Federalists
People that opposed the creation of a stronger U.S. federal government and which later opposed the ratification of the 1787 Constitution.
Article V
Part of the Constituion outlining the amendment process
Articles of Confederation
The original constitution of the US, ratified in 1781, which was replaced by the US Constitution in 1789.
Brutus 1
Anti-Federalist paper arguing that a single large government could not protect the liberties of diverse groups
Connecticut Compromise
An agreement that large and small states reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that defined the legislative structure and representation that each state would have
Constitutional Convention
The convention in Philadelphia (1787) of representatives from each of the former Colonies, except Rhode Island, at which the Constitution of the United States was framed.
Continental Congress
The group of delegates from the 13 colonies that supported independence and governed during the revolutionary war.
Electoral college
The Constitutional mechanism for states choosing electors which then choose the president
Federalist 10
Argued that factions are dangerous but inevitable, and that the solution was to structure a large republic with diverse, balancing factions.
Federalist 51
Argued that separation of powers and checks and balances were necessary to prevent tyranny.
Federalist Papers
A collection of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution
Federalists
Supporters of proposed Constitution and a strong central government
Great Compromise
An agreement that large and small states reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that defined the legislative structure and representation that each state would have
Mob rule
The rule of government by a mass of people, or, the intimidation of legitimate authorities.
New Jersey Plan
A parliamentary plan for government which would create a unicameral legislature, equally representing each state
Philadelphia Convention
Convention of delegates from the 13 states to fix the Articles of Confederation; eventually drafted and proposed the U.S. Constitution for ratification.
Shays' Rebellion
A series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of framers led by Revolutionary War captain Daniel Shays
Three-fifths compromise
A compromise for the house of Representatives that had the population of slaves counting towards the population but for every five slaves, only three people were counted.
Virginia Plan
James Madison's proposed parliamentary plan for the U.S. government, which advantaged large states and the legislature