AP United States History Unit 3: Governing the New Republic (1783–1800)

The Articles of Confederation

The first framework of government for the United States, ratified in 1781, reflecting skepticism of centralized power.

Unicameral Legislature

A single-chamber legislature where each state had one vote, regardless of population, as established by the Articles.

No Executive or Judicial Branch

Indicates the absence of a President to enforce laws and a Supreme Court to settle disputes under the Articles.

Inability to Tax

The federal government could only request money from states, not demand it for war debts, under the Articles.

Supermajority Requirements

Laws required 9 out of 13 votes to pass, and amendments required unanimous consent, making change nearly impossible.

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787

An important law that established a method for admitting new states and banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.

Statehood Path

The process established by the Northwest Ordinance for admitting new states on equal terms with original states.

Education in the Northwest Ordinance

The Ordinance set aside land sales to fund public education in new states.

Shays’ Rebellion

An uprising in 1786-1787 of farmers in Massachusetts protesting economic injustices, highlighting weaknesses of the Articles.

The Problem during Shays' Rebellion

The Massachusetts government raised an army to suppress the rebellion, while the federal government under the Articles had no power to assist.

The Great Compromise

A solution at the Constitutional Convention that created a bicameral legislature, balancing representation for small and large states.

The Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement counting enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.

The Slave Trade Compromise

An agreement that delayed any ban on the international slave trade until 1808.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who advocated for a strong central government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who feared a strong central government would threaten individual liberties.

The Federalist Papers

A collection of essays written to persuade support for the Constitution, authored by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay.

Brutus No. 1

An Anti-Federalist essay arguing against the ratification of the Constitution, warning about central government power.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, added to protect individual liberties and secure ratification.

Republican Motherhood

The idea that women should educate their children in civic virtue to contribute to the republic's success.

The Federalist Party

A political party led by Hamilton in the 1790s that supported a strong central government and industrial economy.

Democratic-Republicans

A political party formed by Jefferson and Madison that favored agrarian interests and states' rights.

Battle of Fallen Timbers

A decisive battle in 1794 where U.S. forces defeated Native Americans and opened the Northwest Territory to settlers.

Whiskey Rebellion

A revolt in 1794 against an excise tax on whiskey that was suppressed by federal troops, demonstrating constitutional authority.

Jay’s Treaty

A controversial 1794 treaty with Britain, resolving some conflicts but criticized for being too lenient.

Pinckney’s Treaty

A 1795 treaty with Spain that granted the U.S. rights to navigate the Mississippi River and use New Orleans.

Common Mistakes with Federalists

Confusing Federalists who supported the Constitution with the Federalist Party led by Hamilton.

The Bill of Rights timeline

The Bill of Rights was not part of the original 1787 Constitution; it was added in 1791.