Final answer:
CONSENSUS refers to a general agreement among a group. In American history, consensus was key in creating the Constitution and ensuring that governance reflected the collective will, balancing between majority rule and individual rights, and protecting democratic principles like freedom of speech.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term CONSENSUS means general agreement or a collective unanimous opinion among a group of people. In the context provided, 'The people made a CONSENSUS that they would all meet to plan a rebellion to overthrow the president,' it indicates that the group collectively agreed upon meeting to discuss their plans for a rebellion.
During the 1770s and 1780s, in American history, the need for a united consensus was crucial in shaping the nation’s government and defining American equality. While some leaders feared what they viewed as 'mob rule', others like Thomas Jefferson perceived uprisings such as Shays's Rebellion as a necessary action to maintain and protect liberties. Furthermore, the establishment of a new Constitution required the consensus of at least nine states to ratify the document, ensuring that it represented a broad agreement rather than the will of a mere faction.
The framing of the Constitution and the debates around governance during this time highlight the delicate balance between majority rule and protection of individual rights, as well as the necessity of a government that could enforce laws while respecting freedoms. This was further exemplified by the constitutional definition of treason, ensuring that dissent would not be stifled under the guise of treason charges, thus protecting the democratic principle of freedom of speech.