Chapter 7 - Creating a Republic

constitution

A document that sets out the laws principles, organization and processes of a government.

bill of rights

list of freedoms that the government promises to protect

execute

to carry out (laws)

Articles of Confederation

First American Constitution which created a loose alliance of 13 states

cede

to give up (power, control)

currency

money

Land Ordinance of 1785

a system for settling the Northwest Territory

Northwest Ordinance

set up government for the NW Territory; guaranteed basic rights for settlers, outlawed slavery

depression

a period when business activity slows, prices & wages fall, and unemployment rises

Shay's Rebellion

a 1786 revolt of more than 1000 farmers in MA in reaction to high taxes

Constitutional Convention

a meeting (May 25, 1787) of state representatives to revise the Articles of Confederation

Virginia Plan

A plan that called for strong national government with 3 branches and a 2 chamber legislature; supported by the large states

legislative branch

the branch of government that passes laws

executive branch

the branch of government that carries out the laws

judicial branch

the branch of government that decides if laws are carried out fairly

New Jersey Plan

A plan that called for strong national government with 3 branches and a single chamber legislature; supported by the small states

compromise

a settlement in which each side gives up something in order to reach an agreement

Great Compromise

the plan that settled the differences between the large and the small states

Three-Fifths Compromise

an agreement that 3/5 of a state's slave population would be counted for taxation and population purposes.

Founding Fathers

the leaders who laid the groundwork for the United States

republic

a government where citizens rule themselves through elected representatives

dictatorship

a government where one person or small group holds complete authority

Magna Carta

a document from 1215 that stated that citizens had basic rights

English Bill of Rights

document that further protected citizens - right to bear arms, trial by jury and regular parliamentary elections

habeas corpus

the idea that no person could be held in prison without being charged with a crime

separation of powers

principal by which the powers of government are to be divided into 3 branches

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution; those who favored a strong national government

Antifederalists

Those who did not support the Constitution and felt that it made the national government too strong.

The Federalist Papers

A series of essays that explained and defended the Constitution.

amend

change

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments to the United States Constitution.