Quiz on the Articles of Confederation

What was the first government of the United States called?

• The Constitution

• The Articles of Confederation

• The Bill of Rights

• The Declaration of Independence

Who had most of the power under the Articles of Confederation?

• The central government

• The military

• The states

• The president

How many states had to agree for a law to be passed under the Articles of Confederation?

• All 13 states

• 9 out of 13 states

• 7 out of 13 states

• 5 out of 13 states

Why did the Founding Fathers want a weak central government?

• They liked small governments

• They feared another king or strong leader

• They were scared by their experience with Great Britain

• They wanted the states to become independent countries

What could the U.S. government do under the Articles of Confederation?

• Raise money through taxes

• Declare wars and make alliances

• Draft soldiers into the military

• Pass laws about trade

What was the U.S. government NOT able to do under the Articles of Confederation?

• Make treaties with Native Americans

• Sell land in the West

• Draft soldiers or raise money through taxes

• Declare war

What problem did the U.S. government face after the American Revolution?

• It couldn't pay off war debts

• It didn't want to expand west

• It had too many soldiers

• It had too many laws

What was one reason for the rebellions in 1786 and 1787?

• People wanted to leave the country

• Taxes were being placed on citizens to pay war debts

• Farmers were angry about land being taken away

• States wanted to become independent countries

Who led a rebellion in Massachusetts to stop the jailing of farmers?

• George Washington

• Thomas Jefferson

• Daniel Shays

• Benjamin Franklin

What was the outcome of Shays' Rebellion?

• Shays and his men won

• Shays and his men lost, but they scared politicians

• The U.S. government raised an army to stop them

• Shays became a leader in the government