A | B |
George Washington | Chairman of the Constitutional Converntion |
James Madison | Author of the Virginia Plan and "Father of the U.S. Constitution" |
Thomas Jefferson | wrote the "Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom" |
Bill of Rights | most important contribution of Ati-Federalists to the U.S. Constitution |
George Mason | wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights |
Constitution | a framework for government |
Articles of Confederation | the U.S. first attempt at a national government |
Virginia Plan | favored states with big populations |
New Jersey Plan | favored states with small populations |
Bi-cameral Legislature | Two house government |
Legislative Branch | Creates laws |
Executive Branch | enforces laws |
Judicial Branch | interprets laws |
President | in charge of the Executive Branch |
Great Compromise | blending of VA and NJ Plans to determine representation in Congress |
3/5's Claus | counted slaves as 3/5's of a person in terms of a state's population |
Checks and Balances | no branch has more power than another branch |
Amendments | orderly way to make changes to the Constitution |
Ratify | What states must do in order to approve amendments to the Constitution |
Preamble | begins the Constitution outlining its purpose |
Magna Carta | first document to limit the powers of the English king |
Federalists | supported strong central government |
Anti-Federalists | Supported states' rights - did not support strong central government |
John Adams/Alexander Hamilton | formed the Federalist Party |
Thomas Jefferson/James Madison | formed the Democratic-Republican Party |