Articles of Confederation

The document outlining the United States' form of government from 1777 to 1789. It is judged to be inadequate as it does not concentrate federal power sufficiently.

The Virginia Plan

A partial Constitution proposed and written by James Madison. It gives more power to large states because it creates representation by person and not by state.

The New Jersey Plan

A partial constitution proposed by William Paterson that gives more power to small states by creating representation according to state. The "Great Compromise" is formed out of this plan and the Virginia Plan.

Philadelphia Convention

The Philadelphia Convention is the Constitutional Convention, wherein the Constitution is proposed, debated, edited and ultimately ratified by delegates from the several states.

US Constitution

The central document of controversy in the book. It is the final product of the Philadelphia Convention and the battles between federalists and anti-federalists are over its...