| A | B |
|---|
| Articles of Confederation | This first government of the USA provided for a weak national government. |
| Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation | Provided for no common currency, no power to tax or regulate interstate commerce, and had only 1 branch of government. |
| Virginia Plan | This plan for US government provided for representation based on population. |
| New Jersey Plan | This plan for US government wanted equal representation for each state. |
| Senate | This part of Congress has 2 seats per state. |
| U.S. House of Representatives | This part of Congress has membership based on population. |
| Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances | This aspect of U.S. government avoids a too-powerful central government. |
| George Washington | Chairman of the Constitutional Convention |
| James Madison | "Father of the Constitution", authored the "Virginia Plan", and authored much of the Bill of Rights. |
| Federalists | This group was pro-ratification of the Constitution, favoring a strong central government. |
| Anti-Federalists | This faction was anti-ratification of the Constitution, favoring more power at the state level and a Bill of Rights. |
| Virginia Declaration of Rights | George Mason wrote this work that reiterated the notion that basic human rights should not be violated by governments. |
| Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom | Thomas Jefferson wrote this work that outlawed the established church in Virginia |
| Bill of Rights | The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, these were influenced by the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom |
