Articles: Weak central government, states retained sovereignty. Constitution: Stronger federal government, divided powers, checks and balances.

Federalists: Supported the Constitution, strong central government. Anti-Federalists: Opposed the Constitution, favored states' rights, demanded a Bill of Rights.

Jay's Treaty: Controversial treaty with Britain, addressed some issues but seen as weak. Pinckney's Treaty: Successful treaty with Spain, granted US navigation rights on the Mississippi River.

Strict: Literal interpretation, limited federal power. Loose: Broad interpretation, expanded federal power (Hamilton).

First: Sought to address grievances with Britain. Second: Declared independence and formed a new government.

Hamilton: Federalist, strong central government, industrial economy. Jefferson: Anti-Federalist, states' rights, agrarian economy.

Sugar Act: Indirect tax on trade. Stamp Act: Direct tax on printed materials, sparking greater colonial outrage.

Loyalists: Supported the British crown. Patriots: Supported American independence.

American: Taxation without representation, British policies. French: Social inequality, economic hardship, Enlightenment ideals.

Federalists: Believed in a strong central government to maintain order and promote economic growth. Anti-Federalists: Feared a strong central government and advocated for states' rights to protect individual liberties.

'Common Sense': Swayed public opinion towards independence. Declaration: Officially declared independence and articulated the principles of self-government.

Albany Plan: Proposed colonial union before the Revolution, ultimately rejected. Articles of Confederation: First government of the US, characterized by a weak central authority.

A Founding Father, inventor, and diplomat who proposed the Albany Plan and helped secure French support during the Revolution.

Commander of the Continental Army and first President of the United States, providing crucial leadership during the Revolution and early republic.

Author of 'Common Sense,' which advocated for American independence and swayed public opinion.

A Founding Father, second President, and leading advocate for independence, though his presidency was marked by controversy (Alien and Sedition Acts).

Author of the Declaration of Independence, third President, and advocate for states' rights and strict interpretation of the Constitution.

First Secretary of the Treasury, proponent of a strong central government, and architect of the national financial system.

The 'Father of the Constitution,' a key figure in drafting the document and the Bill of Rights, and fourth President of the United States.

A Founding Father, organizer of the Boston Tea Party, and leader of the Sons of Liberty.

British Secretary of State during the French and Indian War, he shifted the war effort and secured British victory.

British commander during the American Revolutionary War.

Prussian military officer who trained the Continental Army at Valley Forge, improving its discipline and effectiveness.

English philosopher whose ideas on natural rights and government influenced the Declaration of Independence.

British policy of avoiding strict enforcement of parliamentary laws, meant to keep the American colonies obedient to England.

Economic theory that trade generates wealth and is stimulated by the accumulation of profitable balances, which a government should encourage by means of protectionism.

Rights inherent to all human beings, often including life, liberty, and property (as articulated by John Locke).

British response to the 'no taxation without representation' argument, claiming that Parliament represented all British subjects, including colonists.

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

Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, granting Congress the power to pass all laws 'necessary and proper' for carrying out the enumerated powers.

A system in which the different parts of a government have powers that affect and control the other parts so that no part can become too powerful.

Interpreting the Constitution based on a literal and narrow definition of the language without reference to differences in conditions when the Constitution was written.

Interpreting the Constitution based on the belief that the document permitted everything that it did not expressly forbid.

Colonial boycotts of British goods in response to taxes like the Stamp Act, demonstrating colonial unity.

A plan proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1754 for a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies. It was ultimately rejected by the colonies.

A controversial act passed in 1798 that limited free speech, particularly criticism of the government. It was associated with John Adams' presidency.