Vocabulary
1. Articles of
Confederation
2. Shay’s
Rebellion
SSUSH5

Explain how weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation and
Daniel Shays’ Rebellion led to a call for a stronger central
government. (140-141)

Evaluate the major arguments of the anti-Federalists and
Federalists during the debate on ratification of (151-152, 143)
the Constitution as put forth in The Federalists Papers
concerning form of government, factions, checks and balances,
and the power of the executive, including the roles of
Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.

Explain the key features of the Constitution, specifically the
Great Compromise, separation of powers, limited government,
and the issue of slavery. (146-148)

Analyze how the Bill of Rights serves as a protector of
individual and states’ rights. (153)

Explain the importance of the Presidencies of George
Washington and John Adams, including the Whiskey Rebellion,
non-intervention in Europe, and the development of political
parties (Alexander Hamilton). (195-197, 202-203)
3. Federalist
4. Anti-Federalist
5. Checks and
balances
6. Great
Compromise
7. Separation of
powers
8. Bill of Rights
9. Whiskey
Rebellion
10. Alien and
Sedition Acts
11. Faction
12. Limited
Government
13. Virginia and
Kentucky
Resolutions
Important Documents
Articles of Confederation
The Federalist Papers
The Constitution
14. Precedent
15. Cabinet
People
John Adams
Alexander Hamilton
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
Daniel Shay
James Madison
SSUSH5: THE STUDENT WILL EXPLAIN SPECIFIC EVENTS AND KEY IDEAS THAT BROUGHT ABOUT
THE ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE US CONSTITUTION
Explain how the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation and Shay’s Rebellion led to a call for a
stronger central government.
1. What were the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation? Did the states or the national government
have more power under the Articles?
2. Why did Daniel Shay lead a rebellion? Against whom did he lead the Rebellion? How did Shay’s Rebellion
show that a strong central government was needed?
3. What was the Constitutional Convention? Why was it held? Where was it held?
Evaluate the major arguments of the Anti-federalists and Federalists during the debate on ratification
of the Constitution as put forth in The Federalist Papers concerning the form of government, factions,
checks and balances, and the power of the executive (include the roles of Alexander Hamilton and
James Madison.
4. What kind of people were Anti-federalists? They believed who should have the power in government?
What were their arguments against ratification of the Constitution?
5. What kind of people were Federalists? Who did they believe should have the power in government? What
were their arguments for ratifying the Constitution without the Bill of Rights?
Explain the key features of the Constitution, specifically the Great Compromise, separation of
powers, limited government, and the issue of slavery.
6. How many branches of government exist under the Constitution? What are they? What person/ group is
associated with each branch?
7. What in the Constitution divides power between the three branches of government? What keeps one
branch of government from becoming stronger that another?
8. What was the Virginia Plan? What group of states favored it? Why?
9. What was the New Jersey Plan? What group of states favored it? Why?
10. What was the Great (Connecticut) Compromise? What are the parts of it? How is representation in the
House of Representatives determined? How is representation in the Senate determined?
11. What was the 3/5 Compromise? Slave-Trade Compromise? What group of people did both compromises
discuss? What does the Constitution say about slavery?
12. What were the three areas of conflict at the Constitutional Convention? Who was arguing? What were
they arguing about? How were the arguments resolved?
Analyze how the Bill of Rights serves as a protector of individual and states’ rights.
13. What was added to the Constitution to gain Anti-federalist support? Why?
14. Who does the Bill of Rights protect? How?
Explain the importance of the Presidencies of George Washington and John Adams (include the
Whiskey Rebellion, non-intervention in Europe, and the development of political parties).
15. What did the Whiskey Rebellion demonstrate about the power of the government under the Constitution?
What precedents did George Washington establish as President? In his farewell address, what did
Washington say about political parties and foreign alliances?
16. What kind of government did Alexander Hamilton favor? What kind of people supported Hamilton? What
were they called? List the parts of Hamilton’s financial plan.
17. What kind of government did Thomas Jefferson favor? What kind of people supported Jefferson? What
were they called? What developed as a result of the differences between Hamilton and Jefferson?
18. What was the XZY Affair? What effect did the XYZ Affair have on foreign relations? What were the Alien
and Sedition Acts?