Articles of Confederation

What was the main reason the Articles of Confederation created a weak central government?

• To ensure the president had too much power.

• To prevent the creation of a government as powerful as the British monarchy.

• Because they forgot to give it power.

Answer explanation

The main reason the Articles of Confederation created a weak central government was to prevent the creation of a government as powerful as the British monarchy.

Why couldn't the government under the Articles of Confederation collect taxes?

• They didn't know how to collect taxes.

• The Articles did not give the central government the power to create new taxes.

• They thought taxes were unfair.

Answer explanation

The central government under the Articles of Confederation did not have the power to tax, which is why they couldn't collect taxes.

What was a major problem caused by the states each printing their own money?

• People used foreign currencies instead.

• It made trade between states more complicated.

• States printed too much money.

Answer explanation

Not having a national currency under the Articles of Confederation made trade between states more complicated, as each state had its own currency system.

How did Shays' Rebellion show a weakness in the Articles of Confederation?

• It showed the military was too strong.

• It showed that the Articles were too flexible.

• It showed that we needed a stronger central government.

Answer explanation

Shays' Rebellion highlighted the need for a stronger central government by exposing the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation.

What did the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 achieve?

• It set up a system for creating new states.

• It declared war on Britain again.

• It abolished the Articles of Confederation.

Why did the Articles of Confederation not include a strong central government?

• The states couldn't agree on what powers it should have.

• They were in a hurry to ratify the Articles.

• The colonists feared creating a government that was like the British monarchy.

Answer explanation

The fear of creating a government as oppressive as the British monarchy led to the exclusion of a strong central government in the Articles of Confederation.

Under the Articles of Confederation, how was representation in Congress determined?

• By the population of each state.

• Each state had one vote.

• By the size of the state.

Answer explanation

Under the Articles of Confederation, representation in Congress was determined by each state having one vote.

What was a result of the Articles of Confederation's not allowing the central government to collect taxes?

• The government had extra money.

• The government had no money to pay off it's debts.

• States paid off all the national debts.

What role did Shays' Rebellion play in the history of the Articles of Confederation?

• It was ignored by the government.

• It showed the strength of the Articles.

• It showed the weaknesses of the Articles and led to calls for change.

Answer explanation

Shays' Rebellion exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and prompted calls for change, ultimately leading to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

Under the Articles of Confederation the states had to give Congress money if they asked?

• True. The states had no power and had to do anything the Congress said

• False. The states had more power than Congress and could say no