Exploring the Articles of Confederation: Key Concepts and Failures

What was the first constitution of the United States?

• The Articles of Confederation

• The United States Constitution

• The Declaration of Independence

• The Bill of Rights

What is federalism?

• A form of government where the federal government has all the power

• A division of power between the federal government and the states

• A system where the states have all the power

• A system where there is no central government

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

• The federal government was too weak

• The states were too weak

• The states had no power

• The federal government was too strong

What was the only fundamentally good law passed under the Articles of Confederation?

• The Federalist Papers

• The Declaration of Independence

• The Northwest Ordinance of 1787

• The Bill of Rights

What did the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 allow the federal government to do?

• Control interstate commerce

• Grow the nation by adding new states

• Create a national army

• Tax the states

Which of the following was NOT a structural weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

• No President

• No ability to tax

• No court system

• A strong federal army

How many states were needed to pass a law under the Articles of Confederation?

• 7 out of 13

• 9 out of 13

• 11 out of 13

• 13 out of 13

What event highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and led to calls for a stronger federal government?

• The Revolutionary War

• The Louisiana Purchase

• Shay's Rebellion

• The Mexican War

Who was the leader of the rebellion that exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

• George Washington

• Thomas Jefferson

• Daniel Shays

• Alexander Hamilton

What was the outcome of the Annapolis Convention?

• The states agreed to disband the federal government

• A decision to hold a Constitutional Convention

• The Articles of Confederation were abolished immediately

• The Articles of Confederation were strengthened