Constitutional Convention

Unicameral

A lawmaking body with a single house whose representatives are elected by the people

Bicameral

A lawmaking body with two houses, a Senate and a House of Representatives

Confederate System of Government

A system of government in which the states have all of the power and the federal government has very little power. Also known as a confederation

3/5 Compromise

Compromise between northern and southern states at the Constitutional Convention that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in the House of Representatives.

Northwest Ordinance

Describes how the Northwestern territory was to be governed and set conditions for settlement and citizen rights. New states would have equal rights with existing states and laid the groundwork for Western expansion

Shay's Rebellion

Massachusetts farmers who rose up to protest taxes and actions against debtors (those who could not pay debts.) Revealed the inability (weakness) of the national government to put down an uprising if it occurred.

Great Compromise

Proposed by Roger Sherman Compromise made by Constitutional Convention in which states would have equal representation in one house of the legislature (Senate) and representation based on population in the other house (House of Representatives)

Federalism

Sharing of power between the state and federal governments

Constitutional Convention

Shays' Rebellion led to the Constitutional Convention showing the need for a strong national government. The meeting of state delegates in 1787 in Philadelphia called to revise the Articles of Confederation. It instead designed a new plan of government, the US Constitution.

Anti-Federalist

Someone who is against the new Constitution

Federalist

Someone who supports the new Constitution

Legislative Branch

The branch of government having the power to make laws. Congress

Judicial Branch

The court systems of local, state, and federal governments, responsible for interpreting the laws passed by the legislative branch and enforced by the executive branch. Also, determines if laws are unconstitutional.

Executive Branch

The division of the federal government that includes the President, Vice President, and Cabinet members; enforces the nation's laws.

Virginia Plan

The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for bicameral (2 houses) congressional representation based on population

New Jersey Plan

The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population. Favored by the small states.

Articles Of Confederation

This document, the nation's first constitution, was adopted by the Second Continental Congress in 1781 during the Revolution. The document was limited because states held most of the power, and Congress lacked the power to tax, regulate trade, or control coinage.

Ratify

To approve

Amend

To change

Northwest Territory

Vast territory north of Ohio and west of Pennsylvania to the Mississippi River, which was key to expanding the U.S.