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.

The need for a strong national government

Shays' Rebellion

Only state not to attend the Convention

city where the Constitutional Convention met

presided over the Convention

kept notes at the Convention and considered the "Father of the Constitution"

plan liked by the large states because representation was based only on population

Opposite of the Virginia Plan, it proposed a single house in congress in which each state had one vote. This created a conflict with representation between bigger states, who wanted control befitting their population, and smaller states, who didn't want to be bullied by larger states.

2 houses, House of Representatives would be based on population, the senate would have 2 representatives from each state

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.

refers to the fifty-five delegates to the Constitutional Convention who drafted the Consitution of the U.S.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

monies citizens have to pay to help the government run

the number of people/votes that each state gets based on the state's population

Official count of a population

the vast territory of land that included present-day Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin; was politically organized by the Northwest Ordinance of 1787

A major success of the Articles of Confederation. Provided for the orderly surveying and distribution of land belonging to the U.S.

Wrote the final draft of the Constitution

Co author of the federalist papers, was a major supporter of a strong federal government

Natural Rights philosopher

Someone who supports the new Constitution

Someone who was against the new Constitution

The English bill of rights

Poor trade, worthless money, the inability to tax, and the Congress had a difficult time passing any kind of law

checks and balances