Magna Carta
a document signed by King John in 1215, made the king subject to law. The English Bill of Rights, passed in 1689, declared the supremacy of parliament.
Constitution
A constitution is a set of basic principles and laws that states the powers and duties of the government
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
This document declared that no person could be forced to attend a particular Church or be required to pay for a church with tax money
Suffrage
the right to vote
Articles of Confederation
Under these Articles, congress would become the single branch of the national government, but it would have limited powers in order to protect the liberties of the people
Ratification
official approval
Land Ordinance of 1785
set up a system for surveying and dividing western lands
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
The Ordinance Established the Northwest Territory
Northwest Territory
includes areas that are now in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
Tarrifs
taxes on imports or exports
interstate commerce
trade between two or more states
Inflation
when there are increased prices for good and services combined with the reduced value of money
Depression
a period of low economic activity combined with a rise in unemployment
Shay's Rebellion
The uprising of farmers to protest high taxes and heavy debt lead by Daniel Shays
Constitutional Convention
Held in may 1787 in Independence Hall (Philadelphia) to improve the articles of confederation
Virginia Plan
a proposal for a new federal constitution that would give sovereignty. or supreme power, to the central government
New Jersey Plan
It called for a unicameral, or one-house legislature. The plan gave each state an equal number of votes, thus an equal voice, in the federal government
Great Compromise
The agreement to create a two-house legislature
Three-Fifths Compromise
Under this agreement only 3/5 of a state's slave population would count when determining representation
Popular Sovereignty
the idea that political authority belogns to the people
Federalism
the sharing of power between a central government and the states that make up a country
Legislative Branch
Congress; responsible for proposing and passing laws
Executive Branch
includes the president and the departments that help run the government
Judicial Branch
made up of all the national courts
Checks and Balances
Keeps the government from becoming too powerful. i.e. the president can veto laws that the congress passes. Congress can override the president's veto with a two-thirds majority vote. The Supreme Court can review laws passed by congress and decide if they
Antifederalists
People who opposed the Constitution
Federalists
supporters of the constitution
Federalist Papers
Essay supporting the constitution written anonymously under the name Publius
Amendments
Official changes
Bill of Rights
10 of the proposed amendments intended to protect the citizens rights
Amendment Process to Change the Constitution
1. be approved by 2/3 majority of both houses and congress 2. ratifies by 3/4 of the states
Patrick Henry, George Mason
Antifederalists who believed the constitution needed a section guaranteeing individual rights
Problems between US and Great Britain
Britain refused to leave their forts in America. Also, Britain wouldn't trade with America, only sell, which was bad for the economy
Was the right to vote given to all adults?
No. Only white men were considered citizens
What was the problem with Spain closing the port of New Orleans?
They used the Mississippi river to send goods to eastern and foreign markets