C3.1 Constitutional Compromise Study Cards

What was the main weakness of the Articles of Confederation regarding taxation?

• Congress could not tax states

• Congress collected too many taxes

• States refused to tax themselves

• The president set tax rates

Why was Congress unable to regulate trade under the Articles?

• Britain controlled all trade

• Each state set its own rules

• The president vetoed trade laws

• States refused to use money

Which major national defense issue existed under the Articles?

• No standing army for protection

• Too many military bases

• Navy was too powerful

• States banned militias

Why was the absence of a federal court system a problem?

• No way to resolve disputes between states

• Courts had too much power

• Only the president could enforce laws

• Congress refused to write laws

What effect did these weaknesses have on the nation?

• States acted independently, weakening unity

• Congress became too powerful

• Britain regained control

• Farmers refused to vote

When did the Constitutional Convention meet to address these problems?

• 1620

• 1776

• 1787

• 1812

What was the original purpose of the Constitutional Convention?

• To revise the Articles of Confederation

• To declare independence

• To draft the Bill of Rights

• To elect a new president

What did delegates decide to do instead of revising the Articles?

• Write an entirely new Constitution

• Strengthen the British monarchy

• Keep the Articles unchanged

• Return to colonial rule

What new power did the Constitution give the federal government?

• Power to tax and regulate trade

• Power to dissolve states

• Power to eliminate state legislatures

• Power to abolish voting rights

What system divided power between national and state governments?

• Separation of powers

• Federalism

• Checks and balances

• Popular sovereignty