Writing the Constitution
Creating a More Perfect Union
1783-1791
Unit Understanding
• Political institutions establish structures to organize
power and govern people.
Unit Question
• Who most influences the structure of political
institutions?
Vocabulary
Unit 4
ratification
• Approval of a document or policy
amendment
• An addition to a document
1787
• Writing of the U.S. Constitution (1789-Ratification of the Constitution). The
United States of America became a constitutional democratic-republic
Virginia Plan
• Large state plan that proposed representation based on population size
New Jersey Plan
• Small state plan that proposed equal representation among all states
Great Compromise
• Constitution resulted in a two-house legislature with House of
Representatives based on Population and the Senate maintaining equal
representation from all states
Three-Fifths Compromise
• Three-fifths of the enslaved population would be counted when setting
direct taxes on states and to determine representation in the legislature.
Federalists
Argued for a stronger national government because under the Articles of
Confederation, the weak national government set the United States up for
failure
James Madison, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton
Anti-federalists
• Argued that states’ rights should remain powerful over key issues; remained
of the opinion that Americans fought the Revolution to get away from
strong government; had a great desire for individual liberties.
• Patrick Henry, George Mason, Thomas Jefferson
Limited Government
• The constitution and laws define the limits of those in power so they cannot
take advantage of their elected, appointed, or inherited positions.
Republicanism
• A philosophy of limited government with elected representatives serving at
the will of the people
Checks and Balances
• System that does not allow one branch of government to have too much
power.
• Each branch of government holds some control over the other two
branches.
Federalism
• The distribution of power between a federal government and the states
within the union. (Power is divided between the national and state
governments)
Separation of Powers
• Each of the three branches of government has its own responsibilities
Popular Sovereignty
• The concept that political power rests with the people who can create, alter,
and abolish government. (People are the source of the government’s power)
Individual Rights
• Basic liberties and rights of all citizens are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.