Glossary
Annapolis Convention (1786)
A meeting of five states in 1786 to discuss issues of interstate trade, which ultimately led to the call for a broader Constitutional Convention.
Example:
Despite low attendance, the Annapolis Convention was a crucial step, as its delegates recognized the severe flaws in the Articles of Confederation and advocated for a more comprehensive gathering.
Articles of Confederation
The first governing document of the United States, adopted in 1781, which created a weak central government with limited powers.
Example:
Under the Articles of Confederation, the national government could not effectively tax states or raise a strong army, leading to widespread economic instability and a lack of national unity.
Bicameral Legislature
A legislative body composed of two houses or chambers.
Example:
The U.S. Congress, with its House of Representatives and Senate, is a prime example of a bicameral legislature.
Constitutional Convention (1787)
A gathering of delegates from 12 states in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, which instead resulted in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.
Example:
The intense debates and compromises at the Constitutional Convention ultimately forged a new framework for American governance, replacing the ineffective Articles.
Electoral College
The system established by the Constitution for electing the President and Vice President, where each state is allocated a number of electors based on its total congressional representation.
Example:
A candidate can win the popular vote nationwide but still lose the presidency if they do not secure enough votes from the Electoral College.
Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
A pivotal agreement at the Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral legislature, combining elements of the Virginia and New Jersey Plans.
Example:
The Great Compromise resolved the heated debate over representation by creating the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate with equal state representation.
James Madison
Known as the 'Father of the Constitution,' he was a key figure at the Constitutional Convention and a primary author of the Virginia Plan.
Example:
James Madison meticulously prepared for the convention, arriving with detailed proposals that heavily influenced the structure of the new government.
New Jersey Plan
A proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, regardless of population.
Example:
Smaller states championed the New Jersey Plan to ensure their voices would not be overshadowed by more populous states in the national government.
Three-Fifths Compromise
An agreement at the Constitutional Convention that stipulated enslaved individuals would be counted as three-fifths of a person for purposes of both taxation and congressional representation.
Example:
The controversial Three-Fifths Compromise reflected the deep divisions over slavery and its impact on political power during the nation's founding.
Unicameral Legislature
A legislative body consisting of a single house or chamber.
Example:
Under the Articles of Confederation, the national government operated with a unicameral legislature, where each state had one vote.
Virginia Plan
A proposal at the Constitutional Convention that advocated for a strong national government with a bicameral legislature where representation in both houses would be based on state population.
Example:
Larger states generally supported the Virginia Plan because it would grant them more legislative power due to their greater populations.