1.4 Articles of Confederation

Multiple Choice

Which of the following was a strength of the Articles of Confederation?

• The ability to tax citizens directly

• Protected state sovereignty

• A strong executive branch

• A national judiciary

Multiple Select

Which of the following were weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

• No power to tax

• No executive branch

• Protected state sovereignty

• No national judiciary

Multiple Choice

Which of the following was a major reason the Articles of Confederation created a weak national government?

• Fear of tyranny from a strong central authority

• Desire for a strong national republic

• Need for day-to-day governance

• Pressure from foreign governments

Multiple Choice

...the Department of Treasury, the Department of Postal Service, and the Department of Foreign Affairs were established.

• Strength

• Weakness

Explanation Slide...

STRENGTH: The Department of Treasury, the Department of Postal Service, and the Department of Foreign Affairs were all important departments that served critical roles in a new nation (established a postal service, admiralty courts, and coin money).

Multiple Choice

states could print their own money

• Strength

• Weakness

Explanation Slide...

State-specific currencies were worthless in other states. Having different currencies only made it more difficult for the states to cooperate with one another

Multiple Choice

..the first organized territory in the West (The Northwest Territory) was created,  consisting of land beyond the Appalachian Mountains and between the Great  Lakes and the Ohio River. 

• Strength

• Weaknesses

Explanation Slide...

STRENGTH: The new nation was able to expand further West across the continent with the  formation of the Northwest Territory. (Note: While this was viewed as a governmental strength of the Articles of Confederation, it also could be viewed as a weakness in that westward expansion caused the unjust displacement of Native American tribes.)

Multiple Choice

...there was no national executive or judicial branch.

• Strength

• Weakness

Explanation Slide...

WEAKNESS: The states maintained all rights that were not specifically given to Congress. Without an executive branch, it was impossible to enforce any acts passed by Congress. Laws were inconsistently enforced by different states. Without a judicial branch, there was no way to settle disputes among the states.

Multiple Choice

...Congress was the highest power in the nation.

• Strength

• Weakness

Explanation Slide...

STRENGTH: The U.S. made Congress the highest power out of fear of monarchy. This ensured it was the people (and the representatives they elected) who made decisions for the nation.

Multiple Choice

...there was no national army or navy.

• Strength

• Weakness

Explanation Slide...

WEAKNESS: The new nation had no way of protecting itself without an army or navy

Multiple Choice

...each state was able to make its own trade agreements, including imposing trade taxes on other states.

• Strength

• Weakness

Explanation Slide...

WEAKNESS: Since Congress did not have the power to regulate foreign and interstate commerce, it was difficult for states to trade with other nations.

Multiple Choice

...Congress had the power to deal with foreign relations and sign treaties.

• Strength

• Weakness

Explanation Slide...

STRENGTH: It was important for Congress be able to manage foreign relations and sign peace treaties in order to maintain the new nation’s independence

Multiple Choice

...any changes to the Articles required a unanimous vote of all states.

• Strength

• Weakness

Explanation Slide...

WEAKNESS: It was extremely difficult to make changes to the government structure since a unanimous vote was next to impossible.

Multiple Choice

...the national government did not have the power to tax; all revenue came from the states.

• Strength

• Weakness

Explanation Slide...

WEAKNESS: Since the government could not tax, the country was constantly short on money. It was nearly impossible for it to reply its war debts