Understanding Early American Government

Who were the Anti-Federalists?

• People who supported a strong central government and the Constitution

• People who opposed a strong central government and were against the Constitution

What was the Articles of Confederation?

• The first constitution of the United States

• A series of essays defending the Constitution

What is the Bill of Rights?

• A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine

• The first 10 amendments to the Constitution

What were the Coercive Acts also known as?

• The Intolerable Acts

• The Great Compromise

Who wrote "Common Sense"?

• James Madison

• Thomas Paine

What is the role of the Electoral College?

• To write the Federalist Papers

• To elect the president and vice-president

What were the Federalist Papers?

• A series of essays defending and explaining the Constitution

• A plan for a 2-house legislature

Who were the Federalists?

• Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong central government

• People who wanted more power to the states

What was the Great Compromise?

• A plan for a 2-house legislature that settled a debate over representation

• A series of harsh laws to punish Massachusetts colonists

What is Mercantilism?

• An economic system in which colonies exist for the benefit of the mother country

• A formal list of citizen’s rights and freedoms