Chapter 7: A More Perfect Union & Chapter 8: The Constitution

A formal plan of government

Government where citizens rule with elected representatives

A government that rules the whole nation

The United States' first constitution. Congress had power to conduct foreign affairs. Congress had power to borrow money. Congress had power to issue currency

Congress did not have the power to regulate trade, force citizens to join the army, or impose taxes. It could not pass a law without the votes of at least nine states.

The Northwest Ordinance, passed in 1787, created a single Northwest Territory from lands north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River.

When the value of something falls

the United States went through a depression, a period when economic activity slows and unemployment increases.

Farmers had trouble paying money requested by the states to meet the war debts. As a result, a man named Shays led a rebellion by more than 1,000 farmers in which the militia killed a small number of farmers.

Virginia Plan, called for a two-house legislature, a chief executive chosen by the legislature, and a court system.

The New Jersey Plan called for a one-house legislature, with one vote for each state.

every five enslaved persons would count as three persons in the state's population total. This population total would be the basis for setting taxes and representation in Congress.

sharing power between the federal and state government. The states gave up some powers to the federal government and kept others

Federalists wanted a strong central government to protect the rights and freedoms of the people.

Anti-Federalists feared that a strong national government would take away the freedoms of the common people.