Anti-Federalists
The diverse group of opponents of the proposed U.S. Constitution. Although their specific viewpoints varied, anti-federalists generally favored a weaker central government and stronger state governments.
Articles of Confederation
The original system of government for the United States adopted in 1777. The Articles created a national legislature with broad responsibilities but severely limited capacity to carry out those responsibilities. It quickly became clear that the national government under the Articles was too weak to be effective.
Bill of Attainder
A law passed by the legislature that pronounces a person guilty of a crime without first being tried in court.
Canon Law
Laws that govern Christian churches.
Charles I
English monarch who was eventually defeated by an army raised by the parliament. Charles was eventually executed. His fall from power was an important step towards the creation of a limited monarchy in England.
Civil Law
Based on the system of laws first administered in the Roman Empire, civil law generally refers to non-criminal court cases. Civil cases are not tried before juries.
Comitia
Ancient Roman popular assemblies. Roman forms of government had a significant influence on the creators of the U.S. Constitution.
Common Law
Rules and principles based on English customs and practices. Common law is typically unwritten and developed over time through legal decisions by judges.
Consul
Chief magistrate of the ancient Roman republic. The office of the consul influenced the creation of the office of the presidency in the U.S. Constitution,
English Bill of Rights
This English political document, adopted in 1689, established the principle of a limited monarchy and the supremacy of Parliament in the United Kingdom.
Ex post facto law
A law created retroactively that punishes the accused for an act that, at the time when it was committed, was actually legal.
Faction
A group of people with a specific interest or political objective that they are willing to advance at all costs. The term had a deeply pejorative meaning during the debate over the Constitution.
Federalist
An early supporter of the proposed Constitution. Federalists generally favored a strong, united, central government.
Feudalism
A system of government centered on the relationship between lord and vassal. The vassal would pledge loyalty to his lord and occasionally serve in his army in return for land and protection.
Glorious Revolution
Political revolution in late 17th-century England that destroyed the doctrine of a divine right for rule and established the political supremacy of the parliament.
Habeas Corpus
The legal right of arrested individuals to be brought before a judge to determine whether the arrest is lawful.
Magna Carta
Ancient English political document that established the principle that all Englishmen are entitled to liberty and subject to the law. The Magna Carta is considered to be the foundation of all Anglo-American political liberties.
Oliver Cromwell
English dictator who ruled in the middle of the 17th century. He is referred to throughout The Federalist Papers as a tyrant and serves as an example of the kind of disaster the Constitution was designed to prevent.
Parliament
The English legislature, which serves as the supreme political authority in the United Kingdom. Since America adopted much of its political principles from the English, the nature of the English parliament had a significant influence over the debate in American about the proposed Constitution.
Shay's Rebellion
An uprising by farmers in Massachusetts from 1786-1787 in response to economic hardships. Although the rebellion was quelled by the state militia, it caused concern throughout the country that the government under the Articles of Confederation was too weak to maintain law and order. It served as a powerful argument in support of the stronger national government advocated for by the federalists.
