Government Unit 2 Study Guide

What were the Articles of Confederation?

• The first constitution of the United States

• A treaty between the United States and Britain

• A collection of essays promoting the ratification of the U.S. Constitution

• A declaration of independence from British rule

The Founding Fathers didn’t want a strong central government because:

• They feared it would lead to tyranny.

• They wanted to maintain state sovereignty.

• They believed in a strong monarchy.

• They wanted to avoid foreign influence.

What was the main weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

• Lack of a strong central government

• Excessive power to the federal government

• Too many taxes imposed on states

• Overregulation of interstate commerce

What was the Northwest Territory?

• A region of the United States organized by Congress in 1787

• A territory in Canada

• A part of the Louisiana Purchase

• A region in the western United States acquired from Mexico

What did the Northwest Ordinance do?

• Established a government for the Northwest Territory

• Allowed slavery in the Northwest Territory

• Granted independence to the Northwest Territory

• Created a new state in the Northwest Territory

How did Shays’ Rebellion lead to the Constitutional Convention?

• It highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

• It showed the need for a stronger federal government.

• It was a direct cause of the drafting of the Constitution.

• It led to the immediate ratification of the Constitution.

Where was the Constitutional Convention held?

• Philadelphia

• New York

• Boston

• Washington D.C.

The delegates to the Constitutional Convention were called the “Framers” because:

• They were responsible for drafting the framework of the government.

• They were known for their artistic skills.

• They framed the first set of laws in the United States.

• They were the first to frame the Declaration of Independence.

Where did the Framers get the idea for dividing the government into branches?

• From the British Parliament

• From the Roman Republic

• From the French Monarchy

• From the Enlightenment thinkers

What is the separation of powers?

• A principle where the government is divided into branches, each with separate and independent powers.

• A system where all governmental powers are concentrated in a single entity.

• A method of dividing powers between the central and state governments.

• A process of electing representatives to the government.