Early American Government
This document is often called a forerunner of the written constitution in America.
Mayflower Compact
Under the Articles of Confederation, each state had this many votes in Congress.
One
The Constitutional Convention met in this city in 1787
Philadelphia
This group supported the Constitution because it wanted a stronger union and a more effective central government.
The Federalists
The Preamble says the government should “provide for” this, meaning protection of the nation.
Common Defense
Unlike a charter from a higher authority, this type of agreement established a civil relationship among the people.
Compact
Congress successfully established a process for organizing these lands and admitting new states.
Western Lands
George Washington attended the Convention along with this famous elder statesman.
Benjamin Franklin
This group feared that the proposed central government would become too powerful.
The anti-federalists
These are the three branches created by Articles I, II, and III.
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
These documents formed the basis for many early state constitutions.
Royal Charters
Congress lacked this important financial power under the Articles.
Power to tax
This man is known as the “Father of the Constitution.”
James Madison
Hamilton, Madison, and Jay wrote this famous collection of essays supporting ratification.
The Federalists Papers or Federalists Essays
This system divides governmental power between the national and state governments.
Federalism
This state was the first to ratify its constitution by a convention.
Massachusetts
These two branches of government did not exist under the Articles of Confederation.
The Executive and Judicial branches
This delegate wrote the final draft of the Constitution for the Convention.
Gouvernour Morris
Anti-Federalists objected in part because the original Constitution did not contain this protection of individual rights.
The Bill of Rights
Powers shared by both the national and state governments are called these.
Concurrent powers
This body acted as the national government through most of the War for Independence.
Second Continental Congress
This many states had to approve measures before Congress could pass them.
9
The Constitution earned this nickname because delegates from different regions had to set aside local interests and reach agreements.
Bundle of Compromises
The new federal government began functioning under the Constitution in this year.
1789
This principle allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches.
Checks and Balances