The first government established by the newly independent United States, characterized by a weak central authority and strong state powers.

A legislative body composed of two chambers or houses.

A legislative body composed of one chamber or house.

An agreement during the Constitutional Convention that created a bicameral legislature with representation in the House based on population and equal representation in the Senate.

An agreement during the Constitutional Convention that counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.

A system established by the Constitution for electing the president, where each state is assigned electors based on its representation in Congress.

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

The formal approval and adoption of the Constitution by the states.

Supporters of the proposed Constitution who favored a strong national government.

Opponents of the proposed Constitution who feared a strong national government and advocated for states' rights.

Virginia Plan favored larger states with representation based on population and a strong national government. The New Jersey Plan favored smaller states with equal representation and a limited national government.

Federalists supported the Constitution and a strong national government, while Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution, fearing it would lead to tyranny and advocating for states' rights.

The Articles of Confederation had a weak central government with limited powers, while the Constitution established a stronger federal government with broad powers and a system of checks and balances.

Direct democracy involves citizens directly voting on policies, while the Electoral College is an indirect system where electors chosen by each state cast the votes for president, balancing state and popular interests.

Representation in the House is based on population, favoring more populous states, while each state has equal representation in the Senate with two senators, ensuring smaller states have a voice.

Under the Articles, the federal government had very limited powers, unable to tax effectively or regulate commerce. The Constitution granted the federal government significantly more power, including the power to tax, regulate commerce, and enforce laws.

James Madison was a strong advocate for the Constitution and a strong national government, while Patrick Henry opposed the Constitution, fearing it would lead to tyranny and infringe on individual liberties.

Both were driven by the need to balance the interests of the North and South. The Three-Fifths Compromise addressed representation, while the ban on the slave trade aimed to appease Southern states' economic concerns.

Immediately, the Bill of Rights addressed Anti-Federalist concerns and secured ratification. Long-term, it has served as a cornerstone of American civil liberties and a model for human rights declarations worldwide.

The Land Ordinance established a system for surveying and selling western lands, while the Northwest Ordinance established a system for governing and admitting new states, promoting westward expansion and national unity.

A meeting to discuss the problems with the Articles of Confederation, which led to the call for a Constitutional Convention.

Delegates from 12 states met in Philadelphia to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and ultimately created the United States Constitution.

Proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based on population, favoring larger states and a strong national government.

Proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, favoring smaller states and a limited national government.

Congress banned the importation of enslaved people, but slavery itself continued within the United States.

It resolved the dispute between large and small states by creating a bicameral legislature with representation based on population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

It allowed Southern states to count enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation, increasing their political power but also perpetuating slavery.

A series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay to persuade the citizens of New York to adopt the new Constitution.

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental rights and freedoms to individuals, addressing Anti-Federalist concerns.

To establish a standardized system for surveying and selling western lands, promoting westward expansion and generating revenue for the national government.