The Constitutional Convention

The first constitution of the United States of America and legally established the union of the states.

An armed uprising in central and western Massachusetts (mainly Springfield) from 1786 to 1787. Named after Daniel Shay.

The political leaders who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 or otherwise took part in the American Revolution in winning American independence from Great Britain, or who participated in framing and adopting the United States Constitution in 1787-1788, or in putting the new government under the Constitution into effect.

A proposal by Virginia delegates, drafted by James Madison while he waited for a quorum to assemble at thePhiladelphia Convention of 1787.

A proposal for the structure of the United States Government proposed by William Paterson at the Philadelphia Convention on June 15, 1787.

An agreement between large and small states reached during the Philadelphia Convention of 1787 that in part defined the legislative structure and representation that each state would have under the United States Constitution. It proposed a bicameral legislature, resulting in the current United States Senate and House of Representatives.

A compromise between Southern and Northern states reached during the Philadelphia Convention of 1787 in which three-fifths of the population of slaves would be counted for enumeration purposes regarding both the distribution of taxes and theapportionment of the members of the United States House of Representatives.

To formally approve a plan or an agreement.

Statesmen and public figures supporting ratification of the proposed Constitution of the United States between 1787 and 1789.

A political philosophy which opposes the concept of Federalism. In short, Anti-Federalists dictate that the central governing authority of a nation should be equal or inferior to, but not having more power than, its sub-national states (state government).

Aan introductory and explanatory statement in a document that explains the document's purpose and underlying philosophy.

Establishes the name of the confederation as "The United States of America."

Asserts the equality of the separate states with the confederation government, i.e. "Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated."

Establishes the United States as a new nation, a sovereign union of sovereign states, united ". . . for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them . . . ," while declaring that the union is "perpetual," and can only be altered by approval of Congress with ratification by all the state legislatures.

Establishes freedom of movement–anyone can pass freely between states, excluding "paupers, vagabonds, and fugitives from justice." All people are entitled to the rights established by the state into which he travels. If a crime is committed in one state and the perpetrator flees to another state, he will be extradited to and tried in the state in which the crime was committed.