Reconstruction of the United States

What was the first governing document of the United States after gaining independence from Britain?

• The Constitution

• The Articles of Confederation

• The Bill of Rights

• The Declaration of Independence

Which event marked the official end of the American Revolutionary War?

• The signing of the Declaration of Independence

• The Boston Tea Party

• The Treaty of Paris 1783

• The Battle of Yorktown

Describe one major weakness of the Articles of Confederation.

• It allowed the federal government to collect taxes directly from citizens.

• It provided for a strong executive branch.

• It lacked the power to regulate trade between states.

• It established a national currency.

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Why was the Constitution considered an improvement over the Articles of Confederation?

• It gave more power to the states.

• It established a monarchy.

• It created a stronger federal government with the ability to tax and regulate commerce.

• It eliminated the need for a legislative branch.

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Explain the significance of the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

• It was where the Declaration of Independence was signed.

• It was where the Articles of Confederation were written.

• It was where the U.S. Constitution was drafted and debated.

• It was where the Bill of Rights was first proposed.

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Analyze how federalism divides power between state and federal governments.

• Federalism gives all power to the federal government.

• Federalism gives all power to the state governments.

• Federalism divides power between state and federal governments, allowing both to govern concurrently.

• Federalism eliminates the need for state governments.

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Compare the powers of state governments to those of the federal government under the Constitution.

• State governments can declare war, while the federal government cannot.

• State governments can print money, while the federal government cannot.

• State governments handle local matters, while the federal government handles national issues.

• State governments have more power than the federal government in all areas.

What was one of the main reasons for the failure of the Articles of Confederation?

• It created a too powerful executive branch.

• It allowed states to have too much independence and not enough unity.

• It established a strong national army.

• It provided for a national court system.

Identify a key event that led to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

• The Louisiana Purchase

• Shays' Rebellion

• The War of 1812

• The Missouri Compromise

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Explain how the system of checks and balances works in the U.S. Constitution.

• It allows one branch of government to have complete control over the others.

• It ensures that no single branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.

• It gives the judicial branch the power to make laws.

• It allows the executive branch to override any decision made by the legislative branch.