Articles of Confederation / Northwest Ordinance

Which document was the United States' first official constitution?

• Articles of Confederation

• Declaration of Independence

• Mayflower Compact

• Magna Carta

Why was it difficult to change or amend any existing law in the United States under the Articles?

• All 13 states had to agree to change something

• Most states loved all the laws in place

• The central government had the total authority to change laws, not the states.

• 10 of the 13 states had to agree to change a law.

Which weakness in the Articles led to all the financial troubles in the United States?

• No executive branch

• No judicial branch

• No ability to tax or regulate trade

• States constantly disagreeing.

In the Articles of Confederation, where was most of the government power placed?

• The States
• The National Government
• The Continental Congress
• The Legislative Branch

In the Northwest Territory, what was not allowed? However, it was allowed in the original 13 states.

• farming

• house building

• slavery

• Native Americans

Shays's Rebellion ....

• exposed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation in its inability to provide security for the country.

• led the country to repeal the Articles of Confederation and adopt the Constitution of the United States.

• was a minor incident that had very little effect on the early government of America.

• was America's first punk rock band.

One major problem with the Articles of Confederation is that Congress could not ______ the citizens to raise money.

• tax
• ask
• demand
• force

Why was Daniel Shays, a veteran and Massachusetts farmer, frustrated and angry?

• He wanted to be recognized for service to his country.

• Poor farmers were being taxed heavily by the central government

• The government stole his livestock to feed troops

• Poor farmers were being taxed heavily by the state government

The Articles of Confederation created a strong national government.

• True

• False

Under the Articles of Confederation, the government could not tax the states.

• True

• False