HUSA6. Art.Confed.Bell Ringer

What happened to each colony once the Declaration of Independence was signed?

• They became part of the British Empire.

• They became free and independent states.

• They were governed by France.

• They remained under British rule.

Answer explanation

Once the Declaration of Independence was signed, the colonies declared themselves free and independent states, rejecting British rule and establishing their own governance.

What is a government according to the prompt?

• An organization that collects taxes.

• An organization that helps people cooperate, resolve disputes, and defend themselves.

• A group of people who make laws.

• A system that punishes criminals only.

Answer explanation

A government is best defined as an organization that helps people cooperate, resolve disputes, and defend themselves, as it encompasses the broader functions of governance beyond just law-making or punishment.

Why did the thirteen new states need a new form of association after the Declaration of Independence?

• To increase trade with Britain.

• To have a central authority to settle disputes and cooperate for defense.

• To create a monarchy.

• To join the French government.

Answer explanation

The thirteen new states needed a new form of association to establish a central authority that could effectively settle disputes and coordinate defense efforts, especially after gaining independence from Britain.

Who was the main author of the Articles of Confederation?

• Thomas Jefferson

• John Dickinson

• George Washington

• Benjamin Franklin

Answer explanation

John Dickinson was the primary author of the Articles of Confederation, which served as the first constitution for the United States. His role was crucial in drafting and promoting this foundational document.

Why were many Americans afraid of giving too much power to the central government after their struggle with Great Britain?

• They wanted to return to British rule.

• They feared losing their individual freedoms.

• They preferred a monarchy.

• They wanted to be governed by France.

Answer explanation

Many Americans feared giving too much power to the central government because they had just fought for their independence from Britain and were concerned about losing their individual freedoms, which they valued highly.

What was the primary purpose of the Articles of Confederation?

• To form a new monarchy in America.

• To create a loose alliance of independent states.

• To establish a strong central government.

• To increase trade with European nations.

Answer explanation

The primary purpose of the Articles of Confederation was to create a loose alliance of independent states, allowing them to cooperate while maintaining their sovereignty, rather than establishing a strong central government.

How did the Articles of Confederation address the issue of state representation?

• Larger states had more votes than smaller states.

• States were not represented in Congress.

• Representation was based on population size.

• Each state had one vote in Congress.

Answer explanation

The Articles of Confederation established that each state had one vote in Congress, regardless of its size or population. This ensured equal representation for all states, which was a key feature of the confederation.

What was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

• It gave too much power to the central government.

• It allowed states to print their own money.

• It established a strong national army.

• It required unanimous consent for amendments.

Answer explanation

A major weakness of the Articles of Confederation was that it required unanimous consent for amendments, making it extremely difficult to adapt or improve the government structure, leading to inefficiencies.