Creating the Constitution Vocab

Front

The first written plan of government for the United States. A confederation is an association of states that cooperate for a common purpose.

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Articles of Confederation

Front

a region of the United States bounded by the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and the Great Lakes. The region was given to the United States by the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

Back

Northwest Territory

Front

a law passed by Congress in 1787 that specified how western lands would be governed

Back

Northwest Ordinance

Front

A meeting held in Philadelphia in 1787 at which delegates from the states wrote the U.S. Constitution

Back

Constitutional Convention

Front

a country governed by elected representatives

Back

republic

Front

a written plan that provides the basic framework of a government.

Back

constitution

Front

The plan of government adopted at the Constitutional Convention that established a two-house Congress. In the House of Representatives, representation from each state is based on state population. In the Senate, each state is represented by two senators.

Back

Great Compromise

Front

an agreement made at the Constitutional Convention stating that enslaved persons would be counted as three-fifths of a person when determining a state's population for representation in the House of Representatives

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Three-fifths Compromise

Front

To formally approve a plan or agreement.

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ratify

Front

A plan proposed by Edmund Randolph that a state's representation in Congress should be based on population size and wealth.

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Virginia Plan