USH2.13 Articles of Confederation

Thomas Jefferson incorporated the idea of the social contract in the Declaration of Independence because this idea

• justified the overthrow of a government that violated natural rights
• considered economic rights more important than inalienable rights
• supported the divine right of kings
• called for a gradual change of government

The primary purpose of the Articles of Confederation was to

• deny tax revenues for the national government
• establish the basic framework of a new government
• give the national government the power to regulate intrastate commerce
• establish the supremacy of the states over the national government

One weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the inability of the central government to

• establish a postal system
• collect adequate taxes from the states
• control western lands
• admit new states to the Union

Under the Articles, the years 1781-1787 are referred to as the “critical period” because the

• colonies were forced to pay high reparations to England
• states were fighting the French and Indian War
• southern states threatened to secede over the issue of slavery
• central government lacked the power to deal with major problems

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

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

• indicated there would be future conflicts over the spread of slavery
• exposed weaknesses in government under the Articles of Confederation
• pointed to the need for seeking reconciliation with the British
• showed that settlements were vulnerable to raids by Native American Indians

Which idea guided the development of the Articles of Confederation?

• A strong central government would threaten the rights of the people
• All the people should be granted the right to vote
• Most power should rest with the judicial branch
• Only the central government would have the power to levy taxes

Farmers and former soldiers rebelled in western Massachusetts because

• they hadn't been paid and were losing their homes
• they had remained loyal to Great Britain and the king
• they opposed amending the Articles of Confederation
• they rejected the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts

Which of the following was NOT a major problem with the Articles of Confederation?

• the individual states had too much power
• the central government lacked the power to regulate commerce
• the central government could not enforce the laws
• the national army was too powerful

Which statement best explains why the Articles established a weak central government?

• Americans were following the plan set up in the Declaration of Independence
• The absence of national problems made a strong government unnecessary
• Experiences under Great Britain had created a fear of unlimited government
• Revenues were not adequate to support a strong central government