Chapter 2 Review31 Total Terms
Chapter 2 Key Terms & Vocabulary
Comprehensive index of all scientific terms, definitions, and examples across Chapter 2: Articles of Confederation (1777).
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From Section 2.1: Articles of Confederation (1777) (Primary Text)
ConfederationPolitical Philosophy
A loose union of independent sovereign states in which central authority is strictly limited and member states retain ultimate political power.
Example: The United States under the Articles of Confederation operated as a league rather than a consolidated national government.
From Section 2.1: Articles of Confederation (1777) (Primary Text)
SovereigntyConstitutional Law
Supreme, absolute, and uncontrollable power by which an independent state is governed, free from external control.
Example: Article II explicitly declares that each state retains its individual sovereignty and independence.
From Section 2.1: Articles of Confederation (1777) (Primary Text)
Letters of Marque and ReprisalHistorical Context
Government licenses issued to private ship owners (privateers) authorizing them to attack and capture enemy vessels and goods during wartime.
Example: Article VI and Article IX restricted individual states from issuing letters of marque and reprisal without congressional authorization.
From Section 2.1: Articles of Confederation (1777) (Primary Text)
Full Faith and CreditConstitutional Law
A constitutional obligation requiring states to respect and honor the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.
Example: Article IV established this principle to ensure legal continuity and comity across state borders.
From Section 2.1: Articles of Confederation (1777) (Primary Text)
RequisitionsHistorical Context
Formal demands or requests made by the central governing body upon state legislatures for financial quotas or military troops.
Example: Under Article VIII and IX, Congress relied entirely on state cooperation to fulfill tax and troop requisitions.
From Section 2.1: Articles of Confederation (1777) (Primary Text)
Committee of the StatesGovernment Structure
An executive committee authorized under Articles V and X to manage general national affairs during the congressional recess.
Example: Composed of one delegate from each state, it acted as a standing administrative body when Congress was not in session.
From Section 2.1: Articles of Confederation (1777) (Primary Text)
Bills of CreditEconomic Policy
Paper currency or promissory notes issued by a government as legal tender to finance public expenditures and debts.
Example: Article XII guaranteed that all prior bills of credit emitted by Congress would remain valid financial obligations of the United States.
From Section 2.1: Articles of Confederation (1777) (Primary Text)
Perpetual UnionConstitutional Law
A legal and political commitment that a confederation or federation is permanent, unbreakable, and binding upon all members forever.
Example: Article XIII asserted that the Articles of Confederation established an unalterable, perpetual union unless amended unanimously.
From Section 2.2: Modern Translation & Plain-English Guide
ConfederationPolitical Philosophy
A voluntary alliance of independent, sovereign states that delegate limited powers to a central governing body for common interests.
Example: The United States under the Articles of Confederation (1781–1789).
From Section 2.2: Modern Translation & Plain-English Guide
State SovereigntyConstitutional Law
The supreme, absolute power of an individual state to govern its internal affairs without external interference.
Example: Article II explicitly protected each state
From Section 2.2: Modern Translation & Plain-English Guide
League of FriendshipHistorical Context
A descriptive term for an alliance where members cooperate on defense and trade but maintain their independent political status.
Example: The relationship established among the 13 states in Article III.
From Section 2.2: Modern Translation & Plain-English Guide
ExtraditionLegal Systems
The legal process where a state surrenders a suspected or convicted criminal to the jurisdiction of the state where the crime was committed.
Example: Article IV requiring states to return fugitives from justice upon the governor
From Section 2.2: Modern Translation & Plain-English Guide
QuotaPublic Finance
A proportional share or fixed amount that each member state is required to contribute to a common fund or military force.
Example: State funding contributions under Article VIII based on land value.
From Section 2.2: Modern Translation & Plain-English Guide
Letters of Marque and ReprisalMilitary Law
Government-issued licenses allowing private citizens (privateers) to attack and capture enemy ships and goods during wartime.
Example: Powers strictly regulated and restricted to Congress under Article IX.
From Section 2.2: Modern Translation & Plain-English Guide
Committee of the StatesGovernment Structure
An executive committee composed of one delegate from each state authorized to manage national affairs during congressional recesses.
Example: Established under Article X to keep government functioning when Congress was not in session.
From Section 2.2: Modern Translation & Plain-English Guide
UnanimityLegislative Procedure
A requirement that 100% of participants must agree in order for a decision or amendment to pass.
Example: Article XIII
From Section 2.3: Core Principles & Constitutional Arguments
ConfederationPolitical Philosophy
A loose association of independent, sovereign states that delegate limited powers to a central governing body for common purposes such as defense.
Example: The United States under the Articles of Confederation (1781–1789).
From Section 2.3: Core Principles & Constitutional Arguments
State SovereigntyConstitutional Law
The supreme, absolute authority of an individual state to govern its internal affairs without external interference.
Example: Articulated in Article II, where each state retained its freedom, independence, and undelegated jurisdiction.
From Section 2.3: Core Principles & Constitutional Arguments
Requisition SystemPublic Finance
A fiscal mechanism where a central government requests funds or military quotas from constituent states rather than taxing citizens directly.
Example: Article VIII
From Section 2.3: Core Principles & Constitutional Arguments
UnicameralismInstitutional Design
A legislative system consisting of a single house or assembly, possessing all legislative responsibilities.
Example: The single-house Congress established under the Articles of Confederation where each state held one vote.
From Section 2.3: Core Principles & Constitutional Arguments
Express DelegationConstitutional Law
The strict constitutional principle that only powers explicitly and literally written into the foundational text are granted to the governing authority.
Example: Article II
From Section 2.3: Core Principles & Constitutional Arguments
Committee of the StatesExecutive Power
An executive committee authorized under Article IX and X to manage national affairs during the recess of Congress, consisting of one delegate from each state.
Example: Designed to provide continuous governance when the full unicameral Congress was not in session.
From Section 2.3: Core Principles & Constitutional Arguments
Perpetual UnionHistorical Context
The legal declaration that the confederation of states was intended to be permanent and unalterable except through lawful amendment.
Example: Mentioned in the title and Article XIII, establishing the legal continuity that later justified the suppression of secession.
From Section 2.3: Core Principles & Constitutional Arguments
Privileges and ImmunitiesCivil Rights
The provision guaranteeing that free inhabitants of each state are entitled to the fundamental rights, protections, and commercial privileges of citizens when visiting other states.
Example: Article IV
From Section 2.4: Historical Context, Debate & Modern Impact
Articles of ConfederationHistorical Context
The first written constitution of the United States, adopted in 1777 and in force from 1781 to 1789, establishing a loose confederation of sovereign states with a weak central government.
Example: Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress lacked the power to levy taxes directly on citizens.
From Section 2.4: Historical Context, Debate & Modern Impact
State SovereigntyConstitutional Law
The supreme, absolute, and uncontrollable power by which an independent state is governed, reserved explicitly to the states under Article II of the Articles.
Example: Article II emphasized state sovereignty by asserting that each state retained every power not expressly delegated to Congress.
From Section 2.4: Historical Context, Debate & Modern Impact
Requisition SystemPublic Finance
A financial mechanism where the central government requests specific monetary contributions or troop quotas from state legislatures rather than taxing citizens directly.
Example: The Confederation government
From Section 2.4: Historical Context, Debate & Modern Impact
League of FriendshipPolitical Philosophy
A descriptive term for a decentralized association of independent states united for mutual defense and general welfare without surrendering fundamental sovereignty.
Example: Article III established the states as entering into a
From Section 2.4: Historical Context, Debate & Modern Impact
Unicameral CongressGovernment Structure
A legislative body consisting of a single chamber or house, as was the case with the Confederation Congress where each state cast a single vote.
Example: The unicameral structure of Congress under the Articles made swift legislative action nearly impossible due to supermajority voting requirements.
From Section 2.4: Historical Context, Debate & Modern Impact
ShaysHistorical Catalyst
An armed uprising in western Massachusetts (1786–1787) by impoverished farmers facing economic debt and foreclosure, which highlighted the military weakness of the Confederation.
Example: Shays
From Section 2.4: Historical Context, Debate & Modern Impact
Privileges and ImmunitiesCivil Rights
A constitutional principle ensuring that citizens of each state are entitled to the fundamental rights and protections of citizens when visiting or residing in other states.
Example: Article IV of the Articles guaranteed free inhabitants free ingress, regress, and commercial privileges across state lines.