The Articles of Confederation to The Constitution

Critics of the Articles of Confederation argued that it

• imposed unfair taxes on the states

• used a draft to raise a national army

• provided a strong system of federal courts

• placed too much power in the hands of the states

Shay’s Rebellion (1786) became a concern for many national leaders because it

• indicated there would be future conflicts over the spread of slavery

• exposed fundamental weaknesses in government under the Articles of Confederation

• exposed the need for federal government regulation of interstate commerce

• showed the frontier settlements were vulnerable to raids by Native American Indians

Anti Federalists opposed ratification of the United States Constitution until they were assured that

• a bill of rights would be added to the original document to protect citizens from a tyrannical Federal government

• their supporters would receive a fair share of federal government jobs

• the president was given increased powers

• senators would be elected directly by the people

Federalism is best defined as a principle of government that

• divides power between the central government and state governments

• includes a system of checks and balances

• places the most power in the hands of the legislative branch

• all of the above

Which action is an example of the system of checks and balances?

• An individual pays both a state and a federal income tax

• New York State requires at least 180 school days per year

• The House of Representatives votes to expel one of its members

• The Senate approves a president’s nominee to the Supreme Court

At the Constitutional Convention (1787), which issue was resolved by the great compromise?

• method of electing the president

• power of Congress to tax exports

• Regulation of interstate commerce

• representation of states in Congress

Which two groups debated the ratification of the new Constitution?

• loyalists and revolutionaries

• Federalists and Antifederalists

• Democratic Party and Whig Party

• executive branch and judicial branch

The purpose of each of these provisions is to

• determine the division of power between state and central governments

• create a process for allowing amendments

• grant the central government power to control the states

• limit the power of the executive branch

Which principle of the United States Constitution is most directly described in this passage?

• States rights

• checks and balances

• the elastic clause

• concurrent powers

Which statement best describes the author’s purpose in writing this article?

• To gain support for ratifying the Constitution

• To gain support for adding a Bill of Rights

• To gain support for declaring independence from Britain

• To gain support for states’ rights