Constitutional Convention, Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists, Federalist & Anti-Federalist Papers

Virginia Plan

"Large state" proposal for the new constitution, calling for proportional representation in both houses of a bicameral Congress. The plan favored larger states and thus prompted smaller states to come back with their own plan for apportioning representation.

U.S. Constitution

"The supreme law of the land." Written in 1787 at Philadelphia Convention to replace Articles of Confederation and create stronger central government. Outlines structure & power of 3 branches of national government. Oldest written constitution still in use (but amended 27 times plus myriad informal amendments).

Great Compromise

1787; This compromise was between the large and small states of the colonies. The Great Compromise resolved that there would be representation by population in the House of Representatives, and equal representation would exist in the Senate. Each state, regardless of size, would have 2 senators. All tax bills and revenues would originate in the House. This compromise combined the needs of both large and small states and formed a fair and sensible resolution to their problems.

Articles of Confederation

1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade)

How many delegates met in Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention?

55 men

Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 articles written by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison to defend the Constitution

Declaratoin of Independence

A document made in helping proclaim independence from Great Britain.

Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, John Hancock

Anti-Federalists

George Mason

Anti-Federalists who wanted a Bill of Rights added to the Constitution

Supremacy Clause

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.

Great Compromise

Each state has 2 votes in the Senate. Votes based on population in the House of Representatives.

James Madison

Father of the Constitution

Founding Fathers

Key contributors to the Declaration of Independence & Constitution. Models of civic virtue. Ex: Washington, Franklin, Jefferson

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption.

Anti-Federalists

Opposed the ratification of the Constitution because it gave more power to the federal government and less to the states. Many wanted to keep the Articles of the Confederation. Instrumental in obtaining passage of the Bill of Rights as a prerequisite to ratification of the Constitution in several states. Ex: Patrick Henry("I smell a rat!") & George Mason

Shay's Rebellion

Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out.

Federalist

Supporters of the Constitution led by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. Believed the national government should be STRONG.

Federalists

Supporters of the U.S. Constitution at the time the states were contemplating its adoption.

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.

Federalist Paper #10

Written by James Madison to convince people to support the ratification of the constitution. Argued that factions were inevitable but were best controlled by a large republic that employed a Federalist structure. Argued that competition among factions would limit their negative impacts.

James Madison

Wrote the Bill of Rights to please the Anti-Federalist. "Father of Constitution"

Thomas Jefferson

Wrote the Declaration of Independence

Federalist Papers

a series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay (using the name "publius") published in NY newspapers and used to convice readers to adopt the new constitution

participatory democracy

a system of democracy in which all members of a group or community participate collectively in making major decisions

Alexander Hamilton

advocate of strong government

Plural Democracy

citizen membership in "civil groups" is the key to political power

Necessary and Proper Clause

constitutional authorization for Congress to make any law required to carry out its powers

Brutus

joins and then leads the conspiracy to kill Caesar. Also wrote Anti-Federalist Papers

Unalienable Rights

life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

House of Representatives

the lower house of Congress, consisting of a different number of representatives from each state, depending on population

Publius

the pen name that Framers Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay used when writing the Federalist Papers; Latin for "public man"

states' rights

the right of states to limit the power of the federal government

James Madison

wrote the Bill of Rights

U. S. Senate

Upper house of Congress, 2 reps from each state.

Tryanny

Cruel and oppressive government or rule

Federalism

A form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national, government and the states.

Constitutional Convention (1787)

A 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.

Elisit democracy

A type of Representative Democracy where the wealthy are in charge (think Oligarchy!)

New Jersey Plan

Small State Plan- unicameral (one house) legislature in which all states would have an equal number of votes

Brutus 1 - Anti-federalists (republicans)

Before the constitution was ratified; too much power in national government; won't be able to survive because it's too big

Virginia Plan

Big State Plan- representation in Congress based on population.

Three Fifths Compromise

Compromise reached where the government would count 3 out of every 5 slaves for representation in congress. Gave Slave States more representation (power) in congress

Separation of Powers

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments to the Constitution

Ratification

Formal approval

ratification

Formal approval

Southern States view on representation

Had MANY slaves, thought they should count for representation

Northern States view on representation

Had few slaves, thought they should NOT be counted for representation

100

Total number of Senators (2 per state)

435

Total number of members of the House of Representatives (based on population)