Unit 2: Formation of a Nation

1. Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

• 1. to give states power over the federal government

• 1. to protect the voting rights of male landowners

• 1. to establish a process for electing a president

• 1. to protect the individual rights of citizens

1. What was the first form of government adopted by the "new" United States?

• 1. the Mayflower Compact

• 1. the House of Burgesses

• 1. the Articles of Confederation

• 1. the Constitution

1. What sparked Shays' Rebellion?

• 1. Merchants in Massachusetts refused to accept paper money for goods.

• 1. Massachusetts printed excessive amounts of currency.

• 1. Farmers in Massachusetts were unable to pay state taxes and mortgages.

• 1. New York placed excessive taxes on goods from Massachusetts.

1. What overarching problem under the Articles of Confederation led to the writing of the Constitution?

• 1. The government was too strong, and states wanted more power.

• 1. The government was too weak and unable to perform many basic functions.

• 1. The government did not allow states any sovereignty to make decisions.

• 1. The government collected excessive taxes and bankrupted citizens.

1. Which idea was a major influence on the authors of the Articles of Confederation?

• 1. the desire for strong, forceful leadership

• 1. the experiences leading up to the Revolutionary War

• 1. the respect Americans had for the British crown

• 1. the fear of giving excessive power to state governments

1. Why did the Framers include a system of checks and balances in the Constitution?

• 1. to provide a way for the Constitution to be changed

• 1. to give the states the power to remove corrupt officials from office

• 1. to prevent any branch of government from being too powerful

• 1. to clarify which powers are given to the states

1. The Three-Fifths Compromise in the United States Constitution helped resolve conflicts between what two groups?

• 1.  southern states and northern states

• 1. pro-slavery forces and abolitionists

• 1.  Federalists and Democratic-Republicans

• 1. pro-British and pro-French supporters

1. Which idea about government was evident in both the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution?

• 1. Taxes should be levied by both the state and federal governments.

• 1. The federal government has supremacy over the states.

• 1. Political power should be divided between different levels of government.

• 1. A strong federal court system promotes democratic principles.

1. What was the main reason for the failure of the Articles of Confederation?

• 1. They did not establish a Congress to pass federal laws.

• 1. They did not allow states to collect taxes.

• 1. They did not protect the fundamental rights of citizens.

• 1. They failed to give the national government enough power.

1. What is the best heading for this outline?

• 1. Strengths of the United States Constitution

• 1. Reasons for American Independence

• 1. Features of State Governments

• 1. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation